respectively

adverb

re·​spec·​tive·​ly ri-ˈspek-tiv-lē 

1

: in the order given

My cousin and I were respectively 12 and 16 years old.

2

: in particular : separately

could not recognize the solutions as salty or sour, respectively

Examples of respectively in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thomas added 16 points, while forwards Malique Ewin and Karter Knox scored 12 and 11 points, respectively. —Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026

Johnson was around in 2013 when Dave Gettleman took defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short in the first and second rounds, respectively, in Gettleman’s first draft as Carolina’s GM. —Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026

This is despite the company raising the average cost of its dye vials in the market by 60% and 30% in 2023 and 2024, respectively, according to its IPO prospectus. —Bernadette Toh, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026

Top brand sellers include the Vag of Honor hydrating gel and Oh My Glide lubricant, $50 and $45, respectively. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for respectively

• ineffectively
• retrospectively
• affectively
• collectively
• defectively
• effectively
• objectively
• prospectively
• protectively
• reflectively
• selectively
• subjectively

Kids Definition

respectively

adverb

re·​spec·​tive·​ly

ri-ˈspek-tiv-lē

: each in the order given

John and Mary were 12 and 13 years old respectively