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 Thunder won those games 125-93 and 124-94, respectively. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025

The same is true for thinner vs. thicker cuts, which need less and more time respectively for the flavors to penetrate the meat. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 June 2025

Iranian authorities and the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, respectively said there were no signs of contamination or increase in radiation levels as a result of the strikes. —Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 22 June 2025

Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton will respectively star as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 22 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