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

These plans are often referred to by their acronyms — ICR, IBR, PAYE, and SAVE, respectively. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

These cases were brought, respectively, by five small businesses supported by a libertarian legal group, and by a posse of Democratic state attorneys general. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 June 2025

The Oscar winner and nominee, respectively, star as Kevin McKay and Mary Ludwig, a bus driver and a teacher, who helped rescue a bus full of children. —Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2025

Jump started after the first 1/3 of the month with trimesters of 284, 368, and 431, respectively. —Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 8 June 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