respective

Everyday

1. Respective means belonging to each one of the people or things just named, in the same order. tree →
2. (formal) «Respectively» (adverb) means «in the order just given». tree →

In the lessons

A formal word from exams and maths problems: «Tom and Ann are 8 and 10 respectively» means Tom is 8 and Ann is 10. In everyday writing, «they went to their respective homes» = each went to his or her own home. Phrases: «their respective», «respectively».

Examples

• After the party, the children went back to their respective homes. tree →
• Sam and Mia scored 7 and 9 points respectively. tree →
• The two teams sat in their respective changing rooms. tree →
• The boxes weigh 3 kg and 5 kg respectively. tree →
• Each pupil read their respective part of the play. tree →
• Ben and Lily have $12 and $20 respectively; how much do they have together? tree →
• All rose up as if from deep slumber, and went to their respective homes. tree →

Note

Formal word. Do not confuse with «respectful» (polite) or «respectable» (decent). In maths, «respectively» matches numbers to names in order: first number to first name, second to second — mixing them up gives a wrong answer.

In Jewish tradition

A formal word from exams and maths problems: «Tom and Ann are 8 and 10 respectively» means Tom is 8 and Ann is 10. In everyday writing, «they went to their respective homes» = each went to his or her own home. Phrases: «their respective», «respectively».

Examples

• They are only a combination of two, three, and four strokes, to indicate the respective numbers. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• George Boole inThe Laws of Thought, London 1854, p. 48, also says: "The respective interpretations of the symbols 0 and 1 in the system of Logic are Nothing and Universe." (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Formal word. Do not confuse with «respectful» (polite) or «respectable» (decent). In maths, «respectively» matches numbers to names in order: first number to first name, second to second — mixing them up gives a wrong answer.