respective

[ ri-spek-tiv ]

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.

   Synonyms: corresponding, individual, separate

   Antonyms: irrespective

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

• reˈspectiveness, noun

Other Words From

• re·spective·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of respective¹

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

Example Sentences

Where your app in the respective category ranks refers to the category ranking.

From Search Engine Watch

Cultural relevance is a critical brand health metric that brands should aspire to measure and improve upon, across the entirety of their respective addressable markets.

From Digiday

This is essentially targeting through the user id on the respective platform.

From Search Engine Watch

Both were considered strong prospects — even front-runners — when they entered their respective races, but they still faced stiff competition.

From FiveThirtyEight

After months of meetings on Zoom, Matz and Bohm decided to drive from their respective parts of the Sunshine State to better merge their ideas in person.

From Ozy

With all that said, representation of each of these respective communities has increased in the new Congress.

From The Daily Beast

Both are considered marginal figures in the House GOP caucus and have no real base of support for their respective bids.

From The Daily Beast

When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”

From The Daily Beast

And their respective physical appearances, which have become objects of fascination for their legions of fans, were tragic.

From The Daily Beast

Congressional Democrats kept their respective leadership teams in place.

From The Daily Beast

We can do as we like with Hindu and Mussalman so long as we leave their respective religions untouched.

From Project Gutenberg

Here the pair reached the "Dun Cow" and retired to their respective quarters.

From Project Gutenberg

Full provision is made for Catholics and Nonconformists desiring to attend the services of their respective bodies.

From Project Gutenberg

Public functionaries will receive their orders for military service from their respective administrative chiefs.

From Project Gutenberg

After cobbing, great care is required in sorting the ore into the respective grades of Nos. 1, 2, and 3.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• various