# respectively

/ɹɪˈspɛktɪvɫi/ (US) · /ɹɪspˈɛktɪvli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/respectively
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

in the same order as the people or things you just mentioned. You use this when you have two lists and want to show which item in the first list matches which item in the second list.

For teachers: separately and in the order already mentioned. Used to clarify the one-to-one correspondence between two parallel lists or sequences.

## Examples

- The two winners were aged 10 and 12, respectively.
- The sales and marketing departments are located on the third and fourth floors, respectively.
- In the final set of experiments, the control and test groups showed an increase in efficiency of 5% and 12%, respectively, confirming the hypothesis that the new catalyst was superior.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The respectively prices are $5 and $10." but "The prices are $5 and $10, respectively." — Respectively is an adverb and cannot be used as an adjective before a noun; it must follow the items it refers to.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed at the end of a clause or sentence to clarify the relationship between two previously mentioned sets of information.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.