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

Thailand, an agricultural powerhouse whose rice exports help feed much of Asia, sourced roughly one-fifth of its fertiliser from China in 2024 and separately drew 32% of its total fertiliser imports from the Gulf.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Psychologists have long debated whether the human mind can be explained by a single, unified theory or if different functions such as attention and memory must be studied separately.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

Indicor is likely to separately sell its flow control and water solutions businesses, people familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Asked separately whether the cancellation meant a return to hostilities, Trump said: "No, it doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

My mother was listed separately along with about three hundred other women.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

Related Words

• independently
• personally
• solely