respective

adjective

re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce respective (audio)
1
: particular, separate
their respective homes
2
obsolete : partial, discriminative
respectiveness noun

Examples of respective in a Sentence

it was late when the concert let out, so we all went our respective ways
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vogue: Having grown up in the spotlight with a father renowned for his iconic roles and sartorial elegance, and a mother who herself is a style maven, how have their respective influences shaped your perspective on fashion? Shelton Boyd-Griffith, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025 Here is the entire list of Metacritic’s worst 15 movies of 2024, along with their respective Metascores. 15. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025 Retirees born between the 1st and the 10th of their respective birth months will receive the regular monthly check for January from the Social Security Administration on Jan. 8, 2025. Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Jan. 2025 Described as a triptych, the movie revolves around three separate stories about difficult family relationships– titled Father, Mother and Sister Brother – set against the respective backdrops of Northeast U.S., Dublin and Paris. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for respective 

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of respective was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near respective

Cite this Entry

“Respective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respective. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

respective

adjective
re·​spec·​tive ri-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce respective (audio)
: not the same or shared : separate
they hurried to their respective homes

More from Merriam-Webster on respective

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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