respective

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respective

/ɹɪˈspɛktɪv/ Canada, US, UK
/ɹɪˈspektɪv/ Australia

Rhymes with -ɛktɪv

Where it comes from

Borrowed from Medieval Latin respectivus, from Latin respectus. By surface analysis, respect + -ive.

adjective

not comparable Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own. They returned to their respective places of abode.
Similar: corresponding, relevant, specific
not comparable, obsolete Noticing with attention; careful; wary. c. 1559-1570, Edwin Sandys, letter to Bernard Gilpin But if you looke upon the estate of the church of England with a respective eye , you cannot with a good conscience refuse this charge imposed upon you
not comparable, obsolete Looking toward; having reference to; relative, not absolute. the respective connections of society
not comparable, obsolete Fitted to awaken respect. What should it be that he respects in her / But I can make respective in myself,
not comparable, obsolete Rendering respect; respectful; regardful. With a respective shame, rose, took us by the hands.

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: several, various, individual, particular, special, specific, distinct, relevant, pertinent, competent, different, applicable, suitable, proper, appropriate, matching

Translations

Every language

adj referencing two or more things as individuals

Español	respectivo
Português	respectivo, respetivo
Français	respectif
Deutsch	jeweilig
Ελληνικά	αντίστοιχος antístoichos
Русский	соотве́тствующий sootvétstvujuščij
Tiếng Việt	tương ứng, riêng từng (người, cái, …)

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Cite this

MLA

"respective." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/respective. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

respective. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/respective

Chicago

"respective." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/respective.

BibTeX

@misc{respective_2026,
  title = {respective},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/respective},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}