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

The sheriff's office says additional financial seizures have been authorized and are pending with the respective banks. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

Seemingly all the hot young horror directors honed their craft, and built their respective fan bases, online before their theatrical breakouts. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2026

American Express and Barclays announced 5% cuts to their respective workforces even as the financial services sector sees profits from growing consumer spending and resilient credit. — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026

Queen Sofía, Queen Sonja of Norway, and Beatrix of the Netherlands all embody the key institutional values essential to preserving the monarchy in their respective countries. — Nuria Hernández, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 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