respective Definition
- 1relating or belonging to each of the separate people or things you have just mentioned
- 2relating to something previously mentioned or stated
Using respective: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "respective" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The two teams will play their respective games on Sunday.
Example
Each member of the group was given their respective tasks.
Example
The company has offices in London and New York, and each office deals with its respective clients.
Example
The two candidates gave speeches on their respective policies.
Example
The teacher asked the students to write a paragraph about their respective hobbies.
respective Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for respective
Antonyms for respective
Phrases with respective
used to describe someone who is an expert in their own field
Example
Both authors are well-known in their respective fields of literature and science.
used to describe something that is in the correct or appropriate place
Example
Please put the books back in their respective places on the shelves.
in their respective roles
used to describe someone who is performing their assigned duties or responsibilities
Example
The actors were all excellent in their respective roles in the play.
Origins of respective
from Latin 'respectivus', from 'respectus' meaning 'regard'
Summary: respective in Brief
The term 'respective' [ri-spek-tiv] refers to something that relates or belongs to each of the separate people or things previously mentioned. It is used to describe individual tasks, policies, or fields of expertise, as in 'Each member of the group was given their respective tasks.' 'Respective' can also be used in phrases like 'in their respective fields,' indicating someone's area of expertise, or 'in their respective places,' referring to something in the correct location.
