separately

American  

[sep-er-it-lee] / ˈsɛp ər ɪt li /

adverb

1. in such a way as to be physically detached, disconnected, or disjoined.

   The note cards come in a boxed set of six or can be sold separately.

   We wrapped each part of the gift separately and put them all in the basket.

2. independently or distinctly, rather than as parts or aspects of one idea, event, process, problem, etc..

   By the 17th century, “natural philosophy” (today called “natural science”) was beginning to be considered separately from philosophy in general.

   Until now, these two communities have been working separately despite their similar interests.

3. not at the same time or not in the same place; apart in space or time.

   They’ve been married for 10 years but live separately.

   The two arrived separately at the Ritz Hotel for the movie star’s 50th birthday party.

4. not in a way that is shared; individually.

   They should each be paid separately for the work they have done.

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Other Word Forms

• unseparately
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of separately

First recorded in 1550–60; separate ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Explanation

When things happen separately, they occur on an individual basis. Students who study separately study on their own. If you buy a remote-controlled helicopter and the box says “batteries sold separately,” you’ll be land-bound until you get some AAs. To separate things is to take them apart, like separating two students by making them sit in different parts of the room. Anything that occurs separately also exists on its own. If the President meets with members of Congress separately, he meets with them one at a time. If you don’t like it when your food touches, then you should eat the mashed potatoes and salad separately, not on the same plate.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

separately

Here, the defense claims the two prosecution teams didn’t act separately at all, which they argue violates Mangione’s constitutional right to due process.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Over the last six days of talks, Figuera met separately with representatives of political prisoners, retirees and media workers and promised to advocate for their demands.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the C-32A separately using external stairs in an effort to make the flight appear normal, according to the newspaper.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Future research will examine the components separately and in different combinations.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

Another investigator had separately asked Joe, “Were you thick with Annie?”

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• independently
• personally
• solely