respectively

adverb

re·​spec·​tive·​ly ri-ˈspek-tiv-lē 

1

: in the order given

My cousin and I 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

Over the past three years Wood and Tiwana-Purewal founded KozPure Development and Alpha One Sports and Entertainment Group, which will serve as the project’s developer and property owner, respectively. —JosÉ Luis Villegas, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026

The reversal of advances by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the eastern provinces of Hadramout and Mahra — bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman respectively — could help cool tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026

Smaller regional airports—Newport State Airport (NPT) and New Bedford Regional Airport (EWB)—serve private and limited commercial flights and are closer to town (about 10 and 40 minutes away, respectively). —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026

Vinnie Dakota and Balthazar Cavendish, voiced respectively by Povenmire and Marsh, provide some of the best comedic moments from the series. —Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 5 Jan. 2026

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