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
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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.
Cecil and Linda performed together as Womack & Womack, best known for their 1988 hit “Teardrops,” and later as Zekkariyas & Zeriiya, respectively.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
They’re ranking members of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, respectively.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Antofagasta, Endeavour Mining, Glencore and Fresnillo shares were down 3.6%, 2.3%, 2.2% and 2.1%, respectively.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Incidents in Aberdeen and Peterhead were linked to battery fires in 2022 and 2025 respectively.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
These are the things we are supposed to rejoice in the most, respectively.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
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.
