Respectively: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：each in order (respectively)

respectively 🔊

/rɪˈspɛktɪvli/

adv.

In the order that people or things have just been mentioned; each in the order given.

Diagram showing blue mug to Tom, red to Anna, green to Ben respectively

each in order 🔊

➕

/iːtʃ ɪn ˈɔːrdər/

adv.

Used to indicate that each item in a list corresponds to another item in the same sequence; in the order mentioned.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'respectus' (regard) + '-ive' + '-ly'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 're-spect' = look back at the list to match items in order.

📖 Example

My brother, sister, and I are studying engineering, medicine, and law, respectively. 🔊 My brother, sister, and I are studying engineering, medicine, and law, respectively.

🔗 Collocations

respectively assigned – assigned in the order mentioned

respectively located – located in the corresponding order

respectively known as – known as in the sequence given

🔄 Synonyms

correspondingly (adv.) – In a corresponding way; used to show a link between two lists.

in turn (phrase) – One after the other; each in its proper sequence.

severally (adv.) – Individually or separately, often used in legal contexts.

🚫 Antonyms

collectively (adv.) – As a group; together, not separately.

together (adv.) – In combination; all at once, not in sequence.

indiscriminately (adv.) – Without distinction; randomly, not in order.

🌱 Derivatives

respective (adj.) – Relating to each particular item in order.

respect (n./v.) – Regard or consideration; to have regard for.

irrespective (adj.) – Without regard to something; regardless.

📖 Cultural Story

First recorded in the 15th century, 'respectively' initially meant 'with respect to each' in legal documents, later evolving to indicate sequential correspondence.