respectively

adverb

re·​spec·​tive·​ly ri-ˈspek-tiv-lē How to pronounce respectively (audio)
Synonyms of respectively
1
: in the order given
My cousin and I were respectively 12 and 16 years old.
2
: in particular : separately
could not recognize the solutions as salty or sour, respectively

Examples of respectively in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Manchester’s City and United have also spent more on Chelsea players than on those from any other Premier League club, at £178m and £184m respectively. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Both a Carleen administrator and its founder were charged, in 2023 and 2025, respectively, in the scheme to sell thousands of fake diplomas and later pleaded guilty. — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa came in third, fourth and fifth, respectively. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026 While many of the styles have been released on numerous occasions over the years, the Sport Blue and Maroon have been far less frequently seen, with just one reissue each in 2014 and 2015, respectively. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for respectively

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of respectively was in 1602

Rhymes for respectively

See All Rhymes for respectively

Browse Nearby Words

respective
respectively
respectiveness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Respectively.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respectively. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

respectively

adverb
re·​spec·​tive·​ly
ri-ˈspek-tiv-lē
: each in the order given
John and Mary were 12 and 13 years old respectively

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