Word
respective
Phoneticsre·spec·tive, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈspɛktɪv/
UK/ɹɪspˈɛktɪv/
Definitions
01belonging to each individually
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. belonging or relating to each of the people or things you have just mentioned.
adj. relating to two or more people or things individually, in the order they were previously mentioned.
“After the meeting, the managers returned to their respective offices to start work.”
“The successful candidates were escorted to their respective departments to begin the orientation process with their new supervisors.”
Usage
Always used before a plural noun.
Pitfall
They went to their respective home.
They went to their respective homes.
The noun following 'respective' must be plural because it refers to multiple individual items.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02showing respect
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
adj. showing or feeling respect for someone.
adj. demonstrating or characterized by respect; respectful.
“The knight gave a respective bow to the king.”
“In the old manuscript, the author writes of a respective silence that fell over the court when the queen entered.”
Teaching tip
This sense is obsolete in modern English; learners should use 'respectful' instead.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “respective” in context.
Verb
01. go to their respective rooms
“The children were told to go to their respective rooms to finish their homework.”
verb + prep + noun
02. pursue their respective interests
“The partners decided to dissolve the firm and pursue their respective interests.”
verb + possessive + noun
03. return to their respective homes
“After the summit concluded, the world leaders returned to their respective homes.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. respective fields
“Both scientists are highly regarded experts in their respective fields.”
adj + noun
05. respective positions
“The two armies retreated to their respective positions after the brief skirmish.”
adj + noun
06. respective roles
“The actors discussed how they prepared for their respective roles in the play.”
adj + noun
Preposition
07. in their respective places
“Please ensure that all the tools are put back in their respective places.”
prep + noun
08. robust respective
Real-World Examples
“Both rappers were the stars of their respective rival record labels - Shakur with Death Row Records and Biggie with Bad Boy Records.” “Its Bristol stars, Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks, will resume their respective roles as circus entrepreneur PT Barnum and his wife, Charity.” Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin respectivus, from Latin respectus. By surface analysis, respect + -ive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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