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.
Burnham also promised to reform business rates in Scotland, London and Wales - business rates are set in Scotland and Wales by their respective devolved governments.
From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026
The two started an exchange about their respective career paths, but Danielle got sidetracked and left Drew hanging.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026
And except for a single mention at the top of each opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas’ and Kavanaugh’s respective majority writings even use different shorthand names for the law.
From Slate • Jul. 1, 2026
“We believe the separation will allow Comcast and NBCUniversal to compete more aggressively in their respective end markets, while also creating an opportunity for meaningful cost reduction.”
From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026
One obvious way of accomplishing deseg-regation would have been to shift students among these three schools and change the compositions of their respective enrollments.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
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.
