What does "separate" mean?
Anything that is sold by itself, especially articles of clothing such as blouses, skirts, jackets, and pants.
Separate
/ˈsɛp.(ə.)ɹət/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Anything that is sold by itself, especially articles of clothing such as blouses, skirts, jackets, and pants.
- Grammar: separate is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: classify, distinguish, divide, sort.
- Useful contrasts: coherent, cohesive, conjunct.
- Usage evidence: It is no use trying to separate the sheep from the goats while in a state of madness.
How to use "separate"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "separate" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "separate" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "separate" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "separate" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "separate" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "classify" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "separate", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Anything that is sold by itself, especially articles of clothing such as blouses, skirts, jackets, and pants. plural-normally
"French taffeta evening separates – a puffball skirt, and a ruffled blouse – were pressed flat to drag them up to date."
- 2 a garment that can be purchased separately and worn in combinations with other garments wordnet
- 3 A printing of an article from a periodical as its own distinct publication and distributed independently, often with different page numbers.
- 4 a separately printed article that originally appeared in a larger publication wordnet
Verb
- 1 To divide (a thing) into separate parts. transitive
"Separate the articles from the headings."
- 2 divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork wordnet
- 3 To disunite from a group or mass; to disconnect. transitive
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
- 4 become separated into pieces or fragments wordnet
- 5 To cause (things or people) to be separate. transitive
"If the kids get too noisy, separate them for a few minutes."
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 mark as different wordnet
- 7 To divide itself into separate pieces or substances. intransitive
"The sauce will separate if you don't keep stirring."
- 8 arrange or order by classes or categories wordnet
- 9 To set apart; to select from among others, as for a special use or service. obsolete
"Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them."
- 10 divide into components or constituents wordnet
- 11 force, take, or pull apart wordnet
- 12 move or break apart wordnet
- 13 go one's own way; move apart wordnet
- 14 make a division or separation wordnet
- 15 discontinue an association or relation; go different ways wordnet
- 16 separate into parts or portions wordnet
- 17 treat differently on the basis of sex or race wordnet
- 18 act as a barrier between; stand between wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Apart from (the rest); not connected to or attached to (anything else). not-comparable
"This chair can be disassembled into five separate pieces."
- 2 Not together (with); not united (to). not-comparable
"I try to keep my personal life separate from work."
Adjective
- 1 standing apart; not attached to or supported by anything wordnet
- 2 have the connection undone; having become separate wordnet
- 3 separated according to race, sex, class, or religion wordnet
- 4 independent; not united or joint wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"It is no use trying to separate the sheep from the goats while in a state of madness."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "separate"?
Common synonyms include: classify, distinguish, divide, sort, split, abduct.
How do you use "separate" in a sentence?
It is no use trying to separate the sheep from the goats while in a state of madness.
How do you pronounce "separate"?
Pronounced /ˈsɛp.(ə.)ɹət/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English separaten (“to separate”), from separat (“separated”) + -en, from Latin sēparātus, perfect passive participle of sēparō (“to separate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from sē- (“apart”) + parō (“prepare”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“produce, procure, bring forward, bring forth”). Displaced Middle English scheden, from Old English scēadan (whence English shed). Doublet of sever, also derived from the same Latin verb.
Etymology 2
From Middle English separat, see -ate (“adjective-forming suffix”) and Etymology 1 for more.
Etymology 3
From a substantivization of the above adjective, see -ate (“noun-forming suffix”) and Etymology 1 for more.