respectively

adverb

re·​spec·​tive·​ly ri-ˈspek-tiv-lē 

1

: in the order given

Mary and Anne 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

The rapid escalation of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies has sunk stocks, rattling investors and industries by igniting fears of a repeat of the tit-for-tat tariff battle in spring, when levies on Chinese and American imports soared to around 145% and 120% respectively. —John Liu, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025

Earlier in the night, Poehler and Fey portrayed Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem, respectively, in the cold open. —Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025

Feysa earned $100,000 for her win, with $75,000 and $50,000 going to Alemu and Shauri, respectively, for their finishes. —Bette Canter, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2025

Jeremy Strong and Paul Walter Hauser costar in the biopic as Springsteen's manager, Jon Landau, and a guitar technician, respectively. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025

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