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Respective vs. Respected: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 28, 2023
"Respective" refers to individual or specific items in a sequence, while "Respected" means held in esteem or honor.

Key Differences

Respective typically functions as an adjective that indicates a correspondence between two or more lists. For instance, in a list of names and a list of roles, each name has its "respective" role. On the other hand, Respected is an adjective that denotes admiration or high regard for someone or something due to their qualities or achievements.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
In sentences, when we see the word Respective, we often see it used to make clear a one-to-one relationship between two sets of things. Respected, however, gives information about the esteem or value that someone or something has in the eyes of others.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Another distinction is in their etymology. Respective originates from the Latin word 'respectivus' meaning 'relative'. Respected, meanwhile, is derived from the Latin word 'respectus', meaning 'regard' or 'consideration'.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
Both words play vital roles in English, but they aren't interchangeable. While "students returned to their respective homes" indicates each student went to their own home, saying a "well-respected teacher" means the teacher is held in high esteem.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023
In summation, Respective is about individualized or separate correspondences, and Respected is about admiration and honor.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Meaning

Refers to individual items in a sequence
Denotes admiration or esteem
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Usage

Often paired with lists or sequences
Describes someone/something held in high regard
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Etymology

From Latin 'respectivus' meaning 'relative'
From Latin 'respectus' meaning 'regard'
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Function

Descriptive adjective for sequence correspondence
Descriptive adjective for admiration
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Synonyms

Individual, particular
Esteemed, honored, revered
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023
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Respective and Respected Definitions

Respective

Pertaining individually or severally
They received their respective assignments.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023

Respected

Held in esteem or honor
She is a respected member of the community.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023

Respective

Specific to each individual
They went to their respective homes.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Respected

Looked up to because of character or position
Respected elders often give advice.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023

Respective

Relating to two or more persons or things regarded individually; particular
Successful in their respective fields.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022
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Respected

Regarded with admiration
He is a respected authority on the subject.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023

Respective

Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.
They returned to their respective places of abode.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

Given deference or treated with consideration
Respected opinions should not be ignored.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023

Respective

(obsolete) Noticing with attention; careful; wary.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

Having an established reputation
He's a respected author in his field.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023

Respective

(obsolete) Looking toward; having reference to; relative, not absolute.
The respective connections of society
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem
I have great respect for your work.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

(obsolete) Fitted to awaken respect.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

The state of being regarded with honor or esteem
A leader held in the greatest respect.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

(obsolete) Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

Consideration or appreciation
Can't you at least give me some respect?.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

Noticing with attention; hence, careful; wary; considerate.
If you look upon the church of England with a respective eye, you can not . . . refuse this charge.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

Due regard for something considered important or authoritative
Respect for the law.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

Looking towardl having reference to; relative, not absolute; as, the respective connections of society.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

A particular aspect, feature, or detail
In many respects this is an important decision.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own; as, they returned to their respective places of abode.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

Fitted to awaken respect.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire
All the other scholars respect her.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.
With respective shame, rose, took us by the hands.
With thy equals familiar, yet respective.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

To avoid interfering with or intruding upon
Please respect my privacy.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

Considered individually;
The respective club members
Specialists in their several fields
The various reports all agreed
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

To avoid violating
I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

Belonging separately to each
They answered their respective questions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Respected

To relate or refer to; concern
As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

Distinct for each listed
The teams played their respective matches.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Respected

Deserving of respect; due special honor or appreciation.
He was a respected jurist and his death will be a loss to the profession.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respective

Relating to particular things or people in a sequence
They were seated in their respective age order.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Respected

Simple past tense and past participle of respect
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

Receiving deferential regard;
A respected family
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

Respected

Having or worthy of pride;
Redoubtable scholar of the Renaissance
Born of a redoubtable family
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 15, 2022

FAQs

Can "respective" and "respected" be used interchangeably?

No, they have different meanings and cannot replace each other in sentences.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

When should I use "respective"?

Use "respective" when discussing individual items in relation to another set.
Harlon Moss
Sep 28, 2023

Is "respected" always about people?

No, it can refer to any entity held in high regard, including institutions or ideas.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023

Is "respected" about a sequence or order?

No, "respected" describes someone or something held in esteem or honor.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Can an inanimate object be "respected"?

Yes, like "a respected institution" or "a respected tradition."
Aimie Carlson
Sep 28, 2023

How does "respected" differ from "respectful"?

"Respected" means held in esteem, while "respectful" means showing respect.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023

What does "respective" typically indicate?

"Respective" indicates a correspondence between items in sequences.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Does "respective" only apply to people?

No, "respective" can apply to any items in a sequence, whether people, places, or things.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

What's a synonym for "respective"?

A synonym might be "individual" or "specific."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

What's a synonym for "respected"?

A synonym could be "honored" or "revered."
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023

What's the opposite of "respected"?

The opposite might be "disrespected" or "unrespected."
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023

Can you give an example using both "respective" and "respected"?

The two respected professors returned to their respective universities.
Janet White
Sep 28, 2023

Can "respective" be used for two things?

Yes, like "The cat and dog ate their respective meals."
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023

Can a thing be "respective"?

Not on its own. "Respective" requires a reference, e.g., "their respective roles."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 28, 2023

Is a "respected person" necessarily famous?

No, they might be admired in smaller circles without being widely known.
Sara Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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