/ Dictionary / Index R respective: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: re•spec•tive Pronunciation: (ri-spek'tiv), [key] — adj. pertaining individually or severally to each of a number of persons, things, etc.; particular: I will now discuss the respective merits of the candidates. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: respective (Thesaurus) respecting respectively Related Content Daily Word Quiz: censure Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language