respective

adjective

re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv 

1

: particular, separate

their respective homes

2

obsolete : partial, discriminative

respectiveness noun

Synonyms of respective

• different
• 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 Fort Worth All Saints competitors came home with Gold in their respective weight classes. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Feb. 2026

See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply. —Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026

Both films are frontrunners in their respective Oscar categories. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026

Styled by Lotta Volkova, the cast includes the likes of Pierre Francois Jacob playing Turlington’s husband; Penelope Ternes and Kaplan Hani as their daughter and son; Edoardo Sebastianelli and Lina Zhang interpreting their respective partners, and Fatou Kebbeh as their friend. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026

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