Respective vs. Respected: What's the Difference?

Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || 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.

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.

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'.

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.

In summation, Respective is about individualized or separate correspondences, and Respected is about admiration and honor.

Comparison Chart

Meaning

Refers to individual items in a sequence

Denotes admiration or esteem

Usage

Often paired with lists or sequences

Describes someone/something held in high regard

Etymology

From Latin 'respectivus' meaning 'relative'

From Latin 'respectus' meaning 'regard'

Function

Descriptive adjective for sequence correspondence

Descriptive adjective for admiration

Synonyms

Individual, particular

Esteemed, honored, revered

Respective and Respected Definitions

Respective

Pertaining individually or severally

They received their respective assignments.

Respected

Held in esteem or honor

She is a respected member of the community.

Respective

Specific to each individual

They went to their respective homes.

Respected

Looked up to because of character or position

Respected elders often give advice.

Respective

Relating to two or more persons or things regarded individually; particular

Successful in their respective fields.

Respected

Regarded with admiration

He is a respected authority on the subject.

Respective

Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.

They returned to their respective places of abode.

Respected

Given deference or treated with consideration

Respected opinions should not be ignored.

Respective

(obsolete) Noticing with attention; careful; wary.

Respected

Having an established reputation

He's a respected author in his field.

Respective

(obsolete) Looking toward; having reference to; relative, not absolute.

The respective connections of society

Respected

A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem

I have great respect for your work.

Respective

(obsolete) Fitted to awaken respect.

Respected

The state of being regarded with honor or esteem

A leader held in the greatest respect.

Respective

(obsolete) Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.

Respected

Consideration or appreciation

Can't you at least give me some respect?.

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.

Respected

Due regard for something considered important or authoritative

Respect for the law.

Respective

Looking towardl having reference to; relative, not absolute; as, the respective connections of society.

Respected

A particular aspect, feature, or detail

In many respects this is an important decision.

Respective

Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own; as, they returned to their respective places of abode.

Respected

Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.

Respective

Fitted to awaken respect.

Respected

To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire

All the other scholars respect her.

Respective

Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.

With respective shame, rose, took us by the hands.

With thy equals familiar, yet respective.

Respected

To avoid interfering with or intruding upon

Please respect my privacy.

Respective

Considered individually;

The respective club members

Specialists in their several fields

The various reports all agreed

Respected

To avoid violating

I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.

Respective

Belonging separately to each

They answered their respective questions.

Respected

To relate or refer to; concern

As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.

Respective

Distinct for each listed

The teams played their respective matches.

Respected

Deserving of respect; due special honor or appreciation.

He was a respected jurist and his death will be a loss to the profession.

Respective

Relating to particular things or people in a sequence

They were seated in their respective age order.

Respected

Simple past tense and past participle of respect

Respected

Receiving deferential regard;

A respected family

Respected

Having or worthy of pride;

Redoubtable scholar of the Renaissance

Born of a redoubtable family

FAQs

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

No, they have different meanings and cannot replace each other in sentences.

When should I use "respective"?

Use "respective" when discussing individual items in relation to another set.

Is "respected" always about people?

No, it can refer to any entity held in high regard, including institutions or ideas.

Is "respected" about a sequence or order?

No, "respected" describes someone or something held in esteem or honor.

Can an inanimate object be "respected"?

Yes, like "a respected institution" or "a respected tradition."

How does "respected" differ from "respectful"?

"Respected" means held in esteem, while "respectful" means showing respect.

What does "respective" typically indicate?

"Respective" indicates a correspondence between items in sequences.

Does "respective" only apply to people?

No, "respective" can apply to any items in a sequence, whether people, places, or things.

What's a synonym for "respective"?

A synonym might be "individual" or "specific."

What's a synonym for "respected"?

A synonym could be "honored" or "revered."

What's the opposite of "respected"?

The opposite might be "disrespected" or "unrespected."

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

The two respected professors returned to their respective universities.

Can "respective" be used for two things?

Yes, like "The cat and dog ate their respective meals."

Can a thing be "respective"?

Not on its own. "Respective" requires a reference, e.g., "their respective roles."

Is a "respected person" necessarily famous?

No, they might be admired in smaller circles without being widely known.

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About Author

Written by

Janet White

Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.

Edited by

Aimie Carlson

Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.