respective
adjective
re·spec·tive
ri-ˈspek-tiv 
1
: particular, separate
their respective homes
2
obsolete
: partial, discriminative
respectiveness
noun
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
The mayor is elected at large and serves alongside eight city council members, voted on by their respective ward residents.
—
Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
Murphy and Longoria are attached to produce on top of starring via their respective companies along with veteran John Davis of Davis Entertainment, who is in the awards race this year with the feel-good Kate Hudson drama Song Sung Blue.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Importantly, 2026 was considered optimal because where Earth and Mars would be in their respective orbits would cut the journey time to approximately six months.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026
Last September, the city of El Monte filed a nuisance-abatement suit against Guojun, Ma, their respective associates, and holding companies tied to a sprawling group of office buildings known, in part, as Pacific Place.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
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Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
Murphy and Longoria are attached to produce on top of starring via their respective companies along with veteran John Davis of Davis Entertainment, who is in the awards race this year with the feel-good Kate Hudson drama Song Sung Blue.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
Importantly, 2026 was considered optimal because where Earth and Mars would be in their respective orbits would cut the journey time to approximately six months.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026
Last September, the city of El Monte filed a nuisance-abatement suit against Guojun, Ma, their respective associates, and holding companies tied to a sprawling group of office buildings known, in part, as Pacific Place.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for respective
Cite this Entry
“Respective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respective. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
respective
adjective
re·spec·tive
ri-ˈspek-tiv
: not the same or shared : separate
they hurried to their respective homes
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