respective

[ ri-spek-tiv ]
See synonyms for respective on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. pertaining individually or severally to each of a number of persons, things, etc.; particular: I will now discuss the respective merits of the candidates.

Origin of respective

1
First recorded in 1515–25; from Medieval Latin respectīvus, equivalent to Latin respect(us) (see respect) + -īvus -ive

Other words for respective

Opposites for respective

Other words from respective

  • re·spec·tive·ness, noun

Words Nearby respective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use respective in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for respective

respective

/ (rɪˈspɛktɪv) /


adjective
  1. belonging or relating separately to each of several people or things; several: we took our respective ways home

  2. an archaic word for respectful

Derived forms of respective

  • respectiveness, noun

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