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

This fall alone, she’s donated well over $400 million to several education- and DEI-focused organizations, many of which received the largest gifts in their respective histories. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025

Both characters are named after their respective characters in the novel. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025

Both Ukraine and Russia launched aerial attacks into each other’s territory overnight into Friday, according to authorities in the respective countries. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025

Others have faced controversial departures from their respective stations. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Nov. 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