respective

adjective

re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv 

1

: particular, separate

their respective homes

2

obsolete : partial, discriminative

respectiveness noun

Synonyms

• different
• separate

Examples of respective in a Sentence

it was late when the concert let out, so we all went our respective ways

Recent Examples on the Web

Portions copyrighted by the respective providers. —David Teel, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025

After a team captain is chosen, the top six players from their respective countries automatically qualify, and the captains get to select the final six players. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025

The opportunity is always there for authors and film or tv writers to collaborate on their respective projects, with Yoon providing input when the movie adaptations of her books were being made. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025

Programs will have a better grasp of how things could shake out in their respective divisions. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for respective

• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• corrective
• defective
• detective
• directive
• effective
• elective
• infective

Kids Definition

respective

adjective

re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv 

: not the same or shared : separate

they hurried to their respective homes