adj
respective
rih-SPEHK-tihv
adj
1
Belonging or relating separately to each person or thing being discussed.
"The two teams returned to their respective locker rooms."
"Each employee received feedback on their respective projects."
How to Use Respective
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to show that each item in a list corresponds to its own separate thing, not shared.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with respectful (showing respect) — respective is about "each one's own," not politeness.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
their respective roles
return to respective seats
in their respective fields
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The two teams returned to their _____ locker rooms.
Etymology
Borrowed via Medieval Latin respectivus from Latin respectus ("a looking back, regard").