respectively
Americanadverb
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(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.
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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
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The Constitution of the United States
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The Emancipation Proclamation (1862)
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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.
Respectively, these dominating pop forces received nods for the prestigious album of the year recognition for their work, which marks Beyoncé as the most Grammy-nominated artist in history with 99 nods.
From Salon • Nov. 8, 2024
They award a fixed number of points to their top 10 acts: Respectively 12 points, 10 points, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two and one.
From BBC • May 9, 2023
Respectively, videos for those songs boast at least 355 million and 60 million views on YouTube.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2023
Respectively, in 2006 a little over $36.7 million worth of PS3s were sold in the first week after launch November 16.
From Time • Dec. 12, 2013
Respectively seated, for these diverse reasons, they transacted the negotiation.
From The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains by Murfree, Mary Noailles
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.
