separately
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
not in a way that is shared; individually.
They should each be paid separately for the work they have done.
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Separately, two World Cup fans have filed a lawsuit against StubHub in a proposed class action on Tuesday, accusing the resale platform of failing to deliver tickets they had paid for.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
Separately, Morgan Stanley cut their stock-market outlook on European energy companies to in-line from attractive.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026
Separately, two men have been bailed after being arrested in connection with operating practices at the mortuary service.
From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026
Separately, Iran and Oman said in a joint statement they were working on an agreement on the future administration of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and “the costs associated.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026
Separately, there was civil liability, with Phill worrying “they could take everything,” if the Furfaros and O’Dells successfully sued the Shaws.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
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.
