respectively

adverb

re·​spec·​tive·​ly ri-ˈspek-tiv-lē 

1

: in the order given

Mary and Anne were respectively 12 and 16 years old

2

: in particular : separately

could not recognize the solutions as salty or sour, respectively

Examples of respectively in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those bestsellers are comfortable at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

In a group with Belgium and Portugal (ranked 19th and 22nd in the world respectively) and World Cup holders Spain, England needed a strong start to their Nations League campaign, with consequences for 2027 World Cup qualification and momentum for Euro 2025. —Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025

There are also Deluxe, Premier, and Home and Business versions for $70, $105 and $120 respectively. —Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025

Those were up from 161, 100, and 109 applications per posting last year, respectively. —Ryan Johnston, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for respectively

• ineffectively
• retrospectively
• affectively
• collectively
• defectively
• effectively
• objectively
• prospectively
• protectively
• reflectively
• selectively
• subjectively

Kids Definition

respectively

adverb

re·​spec·​tive·​ly

ri-ˈspek-tiv-lē

: each in the order given

John and Mary were 12 and 13 years old respectively