respective

adjective

re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv 

1

: particular, separate

their respective homes

2

obsolete : partial, discriminative

respectiveness noun

Synonyms

• 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 two met in their respective professional debuts back in November 2016, with Shields winning a four-round unanimous decision. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

The two leaders held rallies for each other in their respective countries and cultivated a personal relationship. —Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025

Both of those moments vaulted the brands worn into top-five placements for their respective events. —Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025

Those looking to make a right turn would proceed through the interchange as normal, and those traveling straight will approach a second traffic signal, where they are then shifted back to their respective sides of the road, according to WisDOT. —Liliana Fannin, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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