Respective Meaning
/ɹɪˈspɛktɪv/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjRelating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.
adjNoticing with attention; careful; wary.
Sentence Examples
Go to your respective seats.
Let's discuss the respective merits of the candidates.
They are each recognized specialists in their respective fields.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the game, the tired players went to their ____ lockers to shower.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The two leaders returned to their ____ countries after the summit concluded with a joint declaration.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Medieval Latin respectivus, from Latin respectus. By surface analysis, respect + -ive.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Adam and Novikovas swapped long-range efforts, neither of which troubled the respective keepers."
— 2012 August 23, Alasdair Lamont, “Hearts 0-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:
"Hitachi and CAF have begun a staged return to work at their respective Newton Aycliffe and Newport factories, having reduced output following the COVID-19 outbreak."
— 2020 April 22, “Network News: Staged return to work at Hitachi and CAF factories”, in Rail, page 9:
"What should it be that he respects in her / But I can make respective in myself,"
— c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv], line 192:
"With a respective shame, rose, took us by the hands."
— [1611?], Homer, “(please specify |book=I to XXIV)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC; republished as The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, […], new edition, volume (please specify the book number), London: Charles Knight and Co., […], 1843, →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the game, the tired players went to their ____ lockers to shower.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The two leaders returned to their ____ countries after the summit concluded with a joint declaration.