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

Two teams that are fighting for play-in position in their respective conferences will square off when the Kings open a six-game road trip against the Orlando Magic on Saturday at Kia Center. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2025

More than 50,000 Palestinians and 1,600 Israelis have died throughout the conflict, according to records kept by the respective institutions of the two sides. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025

And both Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller have called for their respective states to end fluoridation. —Brett Kelman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025

An appeals court ruled Friday that President Donald Trump can fire two board members of independent agencies handling labor issues from their respective posts in the federal government. —Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 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