respectively

adverb re·spec·tive·ly \ ri-ˈspek-tiv-lē \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of respectively

1 : in particular : separately

could not recognize the solutions as salty or sour, respectively

2 : in the order given

Mary and Anne were respectively 12 and 16 years old

See respectively defined for kids

Recent Examples of respectively from the Web

Rockers American Authors, with Milwaukee's GGOOLLDD, take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday; the frontmen from 1970s rock stalwarts Styx and Foreigner — that'd be Dennis DeYoung and Lou Gramm, respectively — at 8 p.m. Saturday.

— chris foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Things to do in Milwaukee this weekend, from Bastille Days and World Cup finale to historic Harleys," 12 July 2018
Although both George and Charlotte (third and fourth in line to the throne, respectively) have appeared on the balcony this year with their parents, the RAF celebration was deemed an adults-only affair.

— maria puente, USA TODAY, "Prince George and Princess Charlotte goof off at palace window, stick out tongues," 10 July 2018
Amy Adams' Camille Preaker and Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle, respectively—their darkness defines them.

— samantha leach, Glamour, "Sharp Objects Is the Feminist True Detective We've Been Waiting For," 8 July 2018
Vilardi and Jones — the top forward prospects for the Kings and Ducks, respectively — were teammates on the Kingston Frontenacs, joining forces in a junior hockey playoff run.

— curtis zupke, latimes.com, "Prospects for Kings, Ducks built tight bond on junior hockey squad," 6 July 2018
Leto won an Academy Award in 2014 for his role in Dallas Buyers Club; Huffman and Eddie Redmayne received Oscar nominations for their roles in Transamerica and The Danish Girl, respectively.

— aric jenkins, Fortune, "Scarlett Johansson's Casting as a Transgender Man Highlights an Industry-Wide Problem," 5 July 2018
When firing on all cylinders, the Cal Fire crew of 15 to 30 personnel can manage the operations of 17 to 20 Large and Very Large Air Tankers (LATs and VLATs, respectively) and move thousands of gallons of retardant a day.

— julia sclafani and jordan cutler-tietjen, sacbee, "Seen those tankers above Sacramento? The low-down on Cal Fire's biggest base at McClellan," 3 July 2018
The Diamondbacks announced their rotation for the Pirates series will consist of Zack Godley, Patrick Corbin, Zack Greinke and Clay Buchholz, Thursday through Sunday, respectively.

— nick piecoro, azcentral, "Diamondbacks not concerned by prospect Pavin Smith’s slow start," 19 June 2018
Bach himself has lost a calf and a cow to the birds, valued around $1,400 and $800 respectively.

— jordyn hermani, Indianapolis Star, "Black vultures are eating cows alive. But it's difficult to legally kill the birds.," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'respectively.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.