separately
gb/sˈɛpɚɪtli/ us/sˈɛpɚɪtli/
B1
English
~ 6600
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
not together; each on its own
not together with other people or things; each one on its own
Usage pattern:
[someone] does [something] separately
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"We live separate"* instead of *"We live separately"* (an adverb is needed). They also confuse *separately* with *alone*: *separately* means "not together with others" and can still involve other people (e.g., two people working separately), while *alone* means "with no other person present."
Synonyms
individually (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and often used in written or careful speech.)
|
apart (Focuses more on physical or emotional distance; not always interchangeable in abstract or procedural contexts.)
Antonyms
together (Direct opposite, meaning in one group, at the same time, or in the same place.)
|
jointly (Opposite in contexts where people share an action, responsibility, or decision.)
Collocations
live separately
|travel separately
|wash separately
|store separately
|calculate separately
|deal with separately
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We decided to file our taxes separately this year.
- Although they are married, they choose to live separately.
- Please wash dark and light clothes separately to avoid color transfer.
- The data for men and women were analyzed separately.
- They asked us to apply separately, not as a group.
Learner examples
- We pay our bills separately.
- They came to the party separately.
- Please wash this shirt separately.
- The teacher spoke to each student separately.
- We will study each problem separately.
adverb
B2
property
2
not included; as an extra item
not part of the main thing; you must get it or pay for it on its own
Usage pattern:
[item] is sold separately
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes miss the idea of extra cost and think *sold separately* means "sold in different shops." It usually means the item is not part of the main product or price and must be bought or paid for on its own.
Synonyms
individually (Often used in price or sales contexts in place of *separately*, but can sound slightly more formal.)
|
not included (A phrase rather than a single word; explicit about absence, common on packaging and bills.)
Antonyms
included (Direct opposite in pricing and packaging: it is part of the main item or cost.)
|
all-inclusive (Opposite in contexts like travel or services, where everything is covered in one price.)
Collocations
sold separately
|priced separately
|charged separately
|billed separately
|ordered separately
|available separately
Themes
shopping
|business
|money
|finance
Examples
- The batteries are sold separately and are not included in the box.
- Delivery charges are calculated separately from the item price.
- Accommodation is booked separately and is not part of the course fee.
- Support is billed separately as an optional service.
- Accessories must be ordered separately and are not part of the standard package.
Learner examples
- The toy needs batteries, but they are sold separately.
- The price of food is charged separately from the room.
- Internet service is paid separately.
- The game and the extra levels are sold separately.
- The ticket price and the booking fee are shown separately.
Grammar
Dictionary form
separately
IPA
GB/sˈɛpɚɪtli/
US/sˈɛpɚɪtli/
Syllables & stress
sep - ar - ately (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sep)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: separately
- Plural: separatelies
Word family
Forms
separatelies
noun
Core family
separate
adjective A2
separation
noun B1
Related words
separable
adjective
separator
noun
Negative and opposite forms
inseparable
adjective B1
inseparably
adverb
Advanced or less common
separatist
noun C1
separatism
noun
Expressions
consider separately
1/kənsˈɪdɚ sˈɛpɚɪtli/
fixed phrase
think about each item alone
used when you think about or discuss each thing on its own, not as one big group
Examples
- We should consider each suggestion separately before making a decision.
- The costs of materials and labor were considered separately.
live separately
1/lˈɪv sˈɛpɚɪtli/
fixed phrase
have different homes in a relationship
used when two people who are in a relationship or family do not live in the same home
Examples
- They are still married but currently live separately.
- Many couples choose to live separately for work or personal reasons.
separately from
1/sˈɛpɚɪtli fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
not combined with something
used to say that one thing is kept, done, or thought about in a different way or place from another thing
Examples
- Please store raw meat separately from cooked food.
- Your personal expenses should be recorded separately from business costs.
- The samples were tested separately from the control group.
sold separately
1/sˈoʊld sˈɛpɚɪtli/
fixed phrase
sold as an extra item
used to say that something is not in the main product or set and must be bought on its own
Examples
- The remote control is sold separately and is not in the standard package.
- These action figures are sold separately, so you can choose only the ones you want.
- Batteries are sold separately, so remember to buy them too.
treated separately
1/tɹˈitɪd sˈɛpɚɪtli/
fixed phrase
handled as its own case
used to say that one problem, group, or topic is dealt with on its own, not together with others
Examples
- For the purpose of this study, each region is treated separately.
- Minor offenses are treated separately from serious crimes.