respective

[ ri-spek-tiv ]

See synonyms for respective on Thesaurus.com

adjective

pertaining individually or severally to each of a number of persons, things, etc.; particular: I will now discuss the respective merits of the candidates.

Origin of respective

First recorded in 1515–25; from Medieval Latin respectīvus, equivalent to Latin respect(us) (see respect) + -īvus -ive

Other words for respective

separate, individual, corresponding

See synonyms for respective on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for respective

irrespective

See antonyms for respective on Thesaurus.com

Other words from respective

re·spec·tive·ness, noun

Words Nearby respective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use respective in a sentence

With all that said, representation of each of these respective communities has increased in the new Congress.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress | Dean Obeidallah | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
Both are considered marginal figures in the House GOP caucus and have no real base of support for their respective bids.
The YOLO Caucus' New Cry for Attention | Ben Jacobs | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”
Are Police Stealing People’s Property? | Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
And their respective physical appearances, which have become objects of fascination for their legions of fans, were tragic.
How the Property Brothers Became Your Mom’s Favorite TV Stars | Kevin Fallon | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Congressional Democrats kept their respective leadership teams in place.
With Immigration Move, Obama and the Welfare Party Strike Again | Lloyd Green | November 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

We can do as we like with Hindu and Mussalman so long as we leave their respective religions untouched.
The Red Year | Louis Tracy
Here the pair reached the "Dun Cow" and retired to their respective quarters.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James Wills
Full provision is made for Catholics and Nonconformists desiring to attend the services of their respective bodies.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
Public functionaries will receive their orders for military service from their respective administrative chiefs.
The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
After cobbing, great care is required in sorting the ore into the respective grades of Nos. 1, 2, and 3.
Asbestos | Robert H. Jones

British Dictionary definitions for respective

respective

/ (rɪˈspɛktɪv) /

adjective

belonging or relating separately to each of several people or things; several: we took our respective ways home
an archaic word for respectful

Derived forms of respective

respectiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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