separately

separately — adverb

1. in a way that positions each item, person, or part as its own unit rather than m

1.adverbB2
Definition

in a way that positions each item, person, or part as its own unit rather than mixing or joining it with others

Example

Putri and Adina packed their suitcases separately for the trip to Japan.

pack + separately (common collocation)

Kofi wrapped each gift separately so no one could see what was inside.

each + noun + separately (distribution pattern)

Common collocations
  • packed separately
  • stored separately
  • handled separately
  • treated separately
  • paid separately
  • filed separately
  • live separately
  • sold separately
Synonyms
  • individually

    emphasises treating each person or thing one by one, as distinct units

  • independently

    stresses freedom from control or reliance — acting without outside influence

  • apart

    more concrete and spatial; often refers to physical distance rather than organisational separation

Antonyms
  • together

    in one group or unit; combined rather than divided

Usage Note

Separately is an adverb and cannot modify a noun directly — the adjective form 'separate' must be used instead: ✅ 'a separate room' ❌ 'a separately room.'

Common Mistakes

The documents are separately.
The documents are separate.
after the linking verb 'be', use the adjective 'separate', not the adverb 'separately.'
They sat separately from each others.
They sat separately from each other.
'each other' is already plural and does not take an 's.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Separately, individually, and independently all describe not being together with others, but each highlights a different angle. 'Separately' focuses on keeping things apart — physically, organisationally, or methodically ('The two departments filed their reports separately'). 'Individually' emphasises treating each person or item as a distinct unit, one at a time ('Each candidate was interviewed individually'). 'Independently' stresses the absence of outside control or reliance ('She makes investment decisions independently'). 'Apart' is more spatial and concrete, often pointing to physical distance rather than method ('They sat apart from the group').

individually ↗independently ↗apart ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • from — separately from someone or something

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word comes from the Latin verb 'separare' ('to pull apart, to divide'), formed from 'se-' ('apart') and 'parare' ('to prepare'). It passed through Old French 'separer' and entered English as the adjective 'separate'. Adding the suffix '-ly' (which turns adjectives into adverbs) gave us 'separately' by the 1400s.