respective

[ri-spek-tiv]

adjective

1. pertaining individually or severally to each of a number of persons, things, etc.; particular.

   I will now discuss the respective merits of the candidates.

   Synonyms: corresponding, individual, separate
   Antonyms: irrespective

respective

/ rɪˈspɛktɪv /

adjective

1. belonging or relating separately to each of several people or things; several

   we took our respective ways home

2. an archaic word for respectful

Other Word Forms

• respectiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of respective¹

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

Example Sentences

At ages 59½ and 62, you can both withdraw money from your respective retirement accounts without incurring a penalty.

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Krüger noted that "According to recently presented database analyses by the respective manufacturers, each company's own drug appears to reduce cardiovascular risk much more effectively than the competitor's."

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It involves a comparison of the respective jump shots of Joakim Noah and Ray Allen; if you’ve ever seen the two players shoot, you’ll understand that Mr. Allen’s is the big-ticket item.

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That’s somewhat uncommon, since it will likely mean spending additional funds to adjust the chip’s design to match each manufacturers’ respective equipment.

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That’s somewhat uncommon, since it will likely mean spending additional funds to adjust the chip’s design to match each manufacturers’ respective equipment.

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Related Words

• various