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

Wing agreed, sending us rummaging through our respective fly boxes. — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026

Both Mansfield and Summit have uphill battles making the postseason in their respective districts, which are arguably the toughest in Texas. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Steinberg’s first row came four years after his father took his own life; his second transpired in the wake of a sudden heart attack as well as his mother’s respective suicide. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

As the Tigers from both LSU and Clemson get set to tangle in Baton Rouge on Saturday to open the 2026 college football season, no one’s more popular on their respective campuses than those BMOCs. — Patricia Babcock McGraw Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 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