respective

adjective

re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv 

1

: particular, separate

their respective homes

2

obsolete : partial, discriminative

respectiveness noun

Synonyms

• different
• individual
• separate

Examples of respective in a Sentence

it was late when the concert let out, so we all went our respective ways

Recent Examples on the Web

The judge advocates general have overall responsibility for a wide array of legal matters within their respective service; topics range from the military’s court-martial system to determinations about permissible use of force by troops, whether deployed domestically or overseas. —Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025

Other freshmen with the potential to vault to their respective varsities are Coby Mayo (Orioles), Colt Emerson (Mariners), Jackson Jobe (Tigers). —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Articles will be edited and may be published in TIME for Kids magazine and/or TIME Magazine, and/or their respective online, digital and social media platforms. —Time For Kids, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025

Sixteen of the 24 players selected for this year’s NBA All-Star teams were taken in the top seven picks of their respective drafts. —David Aldridge, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for respective

• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• corrective
• defective
• detective
• directive
• effective
• elective
• infective

Kids Definition

respective

adjective

re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv 

: not the same or shared : separate

they hurried to their respective homes