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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Separate: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：to set apart (separate)

separate 🔊

/ˈsepəreɪt/

To make things or people that were together no longer together.

Separate verb illustrated by hands using an egg separator in a kitchen.

to set apart 🔊

➕

/tuː set əˈpɑːrt/

To divide or disconnect distinct items or groups that were previously combined or mixed.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'separatus' (past participle of 'separare'), meaning 'to set apart', from 'se-' (apart) + 'parare' (prepare, get ready).

💡 Mnemonic

Se-PAR-ate: Think of putting things APART in a PARticular way.

📖 Example

When you tidy your room, you should separate the building blocks from the toy cars and put them in different boxes. 🔊 This sentence advises organizing by dividing toys into distinct groups.

🔗 Collocations

separate from – to divide or disconnect something from something else

separate into – to divide a whole into distinct parts or groups

separate out – to remove or isolate a particular element from a mixture

🔄 Synonyms

divide (v.) – to split something into parts

detach (v.) – to disconnect or remove something that is attached

isolate (v.) – to set apart from others

🚫 Antonyms

combine (v.) – to join or merge things together

unite (v.) – to bring together to form a single unit

🌱 Derivatives

separation (n.) – the act or process of separating

separated (adj.) – no longer living together as a couple

separately (adv.) – apart from others; individually

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'separate' comes from Latin. It's frequently used in legal and relational contexts, such as 'legal separation' for couples who live apart but remain legally married, a status recognized in many jurisdictions.

Meaning 2：to live apart (separate)

separate 🔊

/ˈsepəreɪt/

When a married couple or partners decide to stop living together, either formally or informally.

Separate meaning of living apart shown by a couple distanced on a sofa.

to live apart 🔊

➕

/tuː lɪv əˈpɑːrt/

For a married couple or romantic partners to stop living together as a couple, which may or may not involve a formal legal divorce.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

After many calm discussions, they decided to separate but remain good friends for the sake of their children. 🔊 This describes a couple's decision to live apart while maintaining an amicable relationship.

🔗 Collocations

separate from one's spouse – to stop living with one's husband or wife

legally separate – to have a formal, court-recognized separation while still married

decide to separate – to make the choice to stop living together as a couple

🔄 Synonyms

split up (v. phrase) – to end a romantic relationship

part (v.) – to leave each other's company, especially in a relationship context

break up (v. phrase) – to end a relationship

🚫 Antonyms

unite (v.) – to join together in marriage or partnership

reconcile (v.) – to restore friendly relations, especially after a separation

🌱 Derivatives

separation (n.) – the state of living apart from one's spouse

separated (adj.) – living apart from one's spouse