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

Shares of Booking and Expedia jumped 11% and 13%, respectively. — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

Cotality estimates that total losses in the housing market from extreme weather in the two states will swell by around 62% and 54%, respectively, by 2050. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

The state’s two richest people, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, already left the state, establishing residency in Florida and Nevada, respectively, per Forbes. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Two measures in Monroe and Sprigg townships, respectively, decided whether zoning restrictions on large data center developments should be implemented as a means to preserve agricultural land. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 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