separate

1 of 2

adjective

sep·​a·​rate ˈse-p(ə-)rət 

1

a

: set or kept apart : detached

b

archaic : solitary, secluded

c

: immaterial, disembodied

2

a

: not shared with another : individual

separate rooms

b

often Separate : estranged from a parent body

separate churches

3

a

: existing by itself : autonomous

a separate country

b

: dissimilar in nature or identity

consulted five separate authorities

separateness

ˈse-p(ə-)rət-nəs 

noun

separateness

2 of 2

noun

sep·​a·​rate·​ness

plural -es

1

a

: the quality or state of being isolated : detachment, loneliness

writing letters … to fellow artists in order to counteract the soul-destroying separateness that he felt had caused the poet's death

—New Republic

b

: the quality or state of being exclusive or excluded : aloofness, segregation

the separateness of classes entrenched … by the force of law and custom

—Oscar Handlin

separateness which denies each group enriching contact with others

—C. H. Nichols

2

: distinctive character : individuality

it is the separateness of the films that gives the program its strength

—Cecile Starr

3

: autonomy, independence

seeking complete political separateness for Lower Canada

—B. K. Sandwell

Synonyms of separate

Adjective

• different
• respective

Choose the Right Synonym for separate

distinct, separate, discrete mean not being each and every one the same.

distinct indicates that something is distinguished by the mind or eye as being apart or different from others.

two distinct versions

separate often stresses lack of connection or a difference in identity between two things.

separate rooms

discrete strongly emphasizes individuality and lack of connection.

broke the job down into discrete stages

Examples of separate in a Sentence

Adjective

Today, there are an estimated 30,000 teams playing travel ball, which is entirely separate from more long-standing youth organizations like Little League … —Sara Corbett, New York Times Sports Magazine, June 2006

On my last visit to Lucio, I went with a Spanish TV starlet whose sultry looks helped us land a prime table. Dining at separate tables around us were the Duchess of Badajoz, the king's sister; novelist Mario Vargas Llosa; and a gentleman rumored to be Spain's richest man. —Anya von Bremzen, Saveur, November 2006

A variation of these reactions is reflected in the American deaf community, which is divided into two groups. One rejects the notion that they are disabled. Rather, they claim, they are a separate culture with its own language. The second group defines its deafness as a disability and is more likely to assimilate into the able-bodied world. —Mary Grimley Mason, Working Against Odds, 2004

There are separate restrooms for men and women.

The boys have separate rooms.

They slept in separate beds.

We use the same Internet service provider but have separate accounts.

That's an entirely separate issue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers - five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) - or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 30 May 2026

Owners should manage their dogs during delivery times by keeping their pets in a separate room before opening the front door and ensuring the door is latched before stepping outside, according to the release. —Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

The answers separate skillcations that support cultural preservation from those that merely repackage it. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

Because the Tarrant County Republican Party votes to hold separate primaries, Democratic and Republican election workers have different sets of election equipment. —Maven Navarro may 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing separate

• go separate ways
• separate off
• separate out
• separate the men from the boys
• separate the sheep from the goats
• separate the wheat from the chaff
• under separate cover

Rhymes for separate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

separate

1 of 3 verb

sep·​a·​rate ˈsep-ə-ˌrāt 

separated; separating

1

a

: to set or keep apart

separate the pages with a slip of paper

b

: to make a distinction between : distinguish

separate fact from fiction

c

: sort entry 2 sense 1

separate mail

d

: to spread widely in space or time : scatter

widely separated homesteads

2

: to end a relationship with that is bound by a contract

separated from the army

3

: to isolate or become isolated from a mixture

separate cream from milk

4

: to become divided or detached : come apart

5

: to cease to live together as a married couple

6

: to go in different directions

separate

2 of 3 adjective

sep·​a·​rate ˈsep-(ə-)rət 

1

: set or kept apart

the motel contains fifty separate units

2

: not shared with another : individual

separate rooms

3

: having independent existence

the separate pieces of a puzzle

separately adverb

separateness noun

separate

3 of 3 noun

sep·​a·​rate ˈsep-(ə-)rət 

: an article of dress designed to be worn interchangeably with others to form different outfits

—usually used in plural

Medical Definition

separate

verb

sep·​a·​rate ˈsep-(ə-)ˌrāt 

separated; separating

transitive verb

1

: to isolate from a mixture : extract

2

: dislocate

separated his right shoulder

intransitive verb

: to become isolated from a mixture

Legal Definition

separate

verb

sep·​a·​rate ˈse-pə-ˌrāt 

separated; separating

transitive verb

: to cause the separation of

intransitive verb

: to undergo a separation

the couple separated last year

compare divorce