respectively
Americanadverb
-
(of two or more things) referring or applying to two or more things previously mentioned in a parallel or sequential way.
Joe and Bob escorted Betty and Alice, respectively.
-
in precisely the order given; sequentially.
adverb
Etymology
Origin of respectively
First recorded in 1550–60; respective + -ly
Explanation
Respectively is used to indicate order, like if you said "Michael Phelps and Michael Jordan excelled in swimming and basketball, respectively." You can think of respectively as a word that lines things up in order so they match. You might say that pizza and meatloaf are your favorite and least favorite foods, respectively. If you and your sister were voted Most Improved and MVP in a baseball league, respectively, then you got better and your sister was the best. This word doesn't have much to do with respect, but it is respectful to write clearly, and respectively helps with that.
Vocabulary lists containing respectively
The Bill of Rights
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Constitution of the United States
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Emancipation Proclamation (1862)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The top performing sectors during these periods were healthcare and consumer-discretionary stocks like restaurants, delivering relatively paltry returns of 0.29% and 0.31% a month, respectively.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
Shares of Apollo and Blackstone rose 2.1% and 3.1%, respectively.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
The club's next two most significant shareholders are Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky and Vanessa Gold - the daughter of David who died in January 2023 - who own 27% and 25.1% respectively.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
And the worst-performing sectors during these periods were financials and energy, delivering returns of negative 1.32% and negative 1% a month on average, respectively.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
Anna and Mr. Archie got in the act, swinging a rake and a length of plastic pipe respectively, swatting Clock Watchers like giant bugs.
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
