respective
gb/ɹɪspˈɛktɪv/ us/ɹɪspˈɛktɪv/
B2
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
B2
relation
1
belonging to each person/thing
Relating to each person or thing that was talked about before.
Usage pattern:
[someone's/something's] respective [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'respective' with 'respectful'. 'Respective' means 'separate for each person/thing', while 'respectful' means 'showing respect'.
Synonyms
individual (Focuses on being separate from others, less formal.)
|
separate (Emphasizes not being shared, but less formal and broad in use.)
Antonyms
joint (Means shared between people or things, opposite of separate ownership or relation.)
|
common (Describes something shared by all, opposite of individually assigned.)
Collocations
respective roles
|respective responsibilities
|respective positions
|respective countries
|respective fields
Themes
language
|formal
|organization
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The students returned to their respective classrooms after the assembly.
- The company will send the documents to the respective departments for review.
- After the meeting, the leaders went back to their respective countries.
- The players shook hands and walked to their respective benches.
- Guests were guided to their respective tables at the banquet.
Learner examples
- We went back to our respective homes.
- The teachers spoke to their respective classes.
- They returned to their respective seats.
- He called the managers of the respective teams.
- The bags were placed in their respective rooms.
Grammar
Dictionary form
respective
IPA
GB/ɹɪspˈɛktɪv/
US/ɹɪspˈɛktɪv/
Syllables & stress
re - spect - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (spect)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: respective
Word family
Core family
respectively
adverb B2
respect
noun B1
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
respectability
noun B2
Expressions
in their respective places
1/ˈɪn ðˈɛɹ ɹɪspˈɛktɪv plˈeɪsɪz/
fixed phrase
formal
each in its own place
Each person or thing is in its own correct place.
Examples
- Please ensure all items are in their respective places before leaving.
- After the experiment, return the tools to their respective places.