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.
The city charter requires that each page of a recall petition have a notarized affidavit from one of its signers attached to that respective page with that same signature. Aaron Sullivan, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 Open-source platforms and their respective large language models (LLMs) require vast amounts of data to function effectively. Shane Buckley, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Collaborations were plentiful: Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims did a medley of their respective hits. Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024 All entrant information, including e-mail addresses, is subject to the respective Privacy Policy of the applicable Sponsor. Vogue Club, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024 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 26 Nov. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!