# separate

/ˈsɛpɝˌeɪt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/separate
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to move apart

verb · CEFR A2

to move things or people away from each other so they are no longer together.

For teachers: to cause things or people to be apart; to disunite or disconnect a group or mass.

- The teacher had to separate the two students because they wouldn't stop talking.
- The police line was established to separate the protesters from the counter-protesters and prevent any physical confrontation.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'from'.

### 2. to stop living together

verb · CEFR B1

to stop living with your husband, wife, or partner.

For teachers: to cease living together as a married or cohabiting couple.

- My parents decided to separate last year, but they are still good friends.
- After years of trying to resolve their differences, the couple decided to separate legally before filing for a full divorce.

Usage: Intransitive in this sense.

### 3. not connected

adjective · CEFR A2

not joined to something else; existing by itself.

For teachers: existing as an independent entity; not shared or joined.

- The children sleep in separate rooms now that they are older.
- The researchers published their findings in three separate reports to ensure each experiment received detailed attention.

Teaching tip: Note the pronunciation difference: the verb ends in /-eɪt/ while the adjective ends in /-ət/.

### 4. clothing items

noun · CEFR B2

clothes that are sold individually rather than as a set, like a skirt and a blouse.

For teachers: individual articles of clothing, such as skirts, trousers, or jackets, designed to be worn in various combinations.

- She prefers buying separates so she can mix and match her work outfits.
- The boutique specialises in high-end separates, allowing customers to coordinate different sizes for jackets and trousers.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form.

## Examples

- She bought several separates to wear for her new office job.
- The boutique specializes in high-quality separates that allow customers to build a professional wardrobe without buying expensive suits.
- By investing in versatile separates like tailored trousers and silk blouses, one can create a multitude of distinct outfits suitable for both formal and casual environments.

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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.