respective
Americanadjective
adjective
-
belonging or relating separately to each of several people or things; several
we took our respective ways home
-
an archaic word for respectful
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of respective
First recorded in 1515–25; from Medieval Latin respectīvus, equivalent to Latin respect(us) ( see respect ( def. )) + -īvus -ive ( def. )
Explanation
When two people each have something of their own, it's their respective thing. In a boxing match, the opponents each start in their respective or individual corners. Respective comes from the Latin respectivus meaning "having regard for." Everyone has regard for what's respectively theirs. We have respective opinions, respective responsibilities, respective anxieties. It's basically another word for individual. Each of a set of twins probably has his respective bed, even though they might share a bedroom together.
Vocabulary lists containing respective
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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To Kill a Mockingbird
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Vocabulary from The Articles of Confederation
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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.
This linkage between the private-credit and private-equity markets is crucial for projecting the two investments’ respective returns in coming years.
From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026
According to testimony, Erickson and Grossman were drinking margaritas at a local cantina before they got into their respective vehicles and headed to Grossman’s home to watch a presidential debate.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
With AI infrastructure rapidly scaling, hyperscalers and their respective ecosystems are investing in designing and deploying new AI architectures.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
He believes the model fosters leadership development across the firm, where successful managers delivering high returns have autonomy and resources to scale their respective businesses.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
But then again, they both poured their shakes into their respective glasses and then lifted the metal canisters to their mouths, drinking down the leftovers first.
From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin
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.
