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
Afterward, at the ceremony, Bellino and Janssen walked down the aisle with their respective children, before sharing handwritten vows aloud to them and each other.
—
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The locations below were identified by Business Insider, ABC News, and other national and local outlets which confirmed the closures with the respective coffeehouses.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The best record of their respective programs the following year was 6-7.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
In both the case of the Nashville shooting and the Minneapolis attack, authorities have not shared any evidence indicating that the shooters’ respective gender identities drove their horrific actions.
—Grace Byron, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respective
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
The locations below were identified by Business Insider, ABC News, and other national and local outlets which confirmed the closures with the respective coffeehouses.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The best record of their respective programs the following year was 6-7.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
In both the case of the Nashville shooting and the Minneapolis attack, authorities have not shared any evidence indicating that the shooters’ respective gender identities drove their horrific actions.
—Grace Byron, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for respective
Cite this Entry
“Respective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respective. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
respective
adjective
re·spec·tive
ri-ˈspek-tiv
: not the same or shared : separate
they hurried to their respective homes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share