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English dictionary

separate Meaning & Definition

/ˈsɛp.əˌɹeɪt/

What Does Separate Mean?

Separate is a verb that means To divide (a thing) into separate parts. It can also mean To disunite from a group or mass; to disconnect. As a noun, it means (usually in the plural) Anything that is sold by itself, especially an article of clothing. As an adjective, it means Apart from (the rest); not connected to or attached to (anything else).

Separate at a Glance

Part of speechverb, noun, adjective
Pronunciation/ˈsɛp.əˌɹeɪt/
Syllables3
Synonymsdistinct, break and detached
Antonymsjoint, unite and unify
Pluralseparates
Verb formsseparates, separating, separated

Separate Definition (Verb)

  1. To divide (a thing) into separate parts.

    Separate the articles from the headings.

  2. To disunite from a group or mass; to disconnect.
  3. To cause (things or people) to be separate.

    If the kids get too noisy, separate them for a few minutes.

  4. To divide itself into separate pieces or substances.

    The sauce will separate if you don't keep stirring.

  5. To set apart; to select from among others, as for a special use or service.

Separate as a Noun

  1. (usually in the plural) Anything that is sold by itself, especially an article of clothing.

Separate as an Adjective

  1. Apart from (the rest); not connected to or attached to (anything else).

    This chair can be disassembled into five separate pieces.

  2. (followed by “from”) Not together (with); not united (to).

    I try to keep my personal life separate from work.

Synonyms of Separate

distinctbreakdetachedindividualtellpartsplitclassisolateddistinguishdisjunctabstractedsingledisseversortdifferentiatesecernatediscretedividedapartsegregatedforkdividebreak upseparateddisunitesecernsort outtell apartremoveddisjointsplit upassortdisjoinedramifyfall apartunconnectedclassifyfreestandingcome apartseveralizediscriminatecarve upisolablesingle outunsharedunintegratedreprintoffprintset-apartbranch
Separate synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Separate

jointuniteunifyannexcombine

Separate in a Sentence

Separate the articles from the headings.

If the kids get too noisy, separate them for a few minutes.

The sauce will separate if you don't keep stirring.

This chair can be disassembled into five separate pieces.

I try to keep my personal life separate from work.

Word Forms & Grammar

separate (third-person singular simple present separates, present participle separating, simple past and past participle separated)

separate (not comparable)

separate (plural separates)

Words That Rhyme With Separate

elucidatearticulatedesolatefacilitateprofligateexplicatedeliberatedelineateruminateinnatecultivatestatealleviateintimateveneratesubordinatedemonstratecontemplatemitigatedisseminatecorroborateadequateameliorateiratesedatedenigrateindicatenecessitatepropagategreat

How Do You Say Separate?

The standard pronunciation of separate is /ˈsɛp.əˌɹeɪt/, spoken in 3 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (sɛp).

Frequently Asked Questions About Separate

Is separate a verb or a noun?

Separate is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun and an adjective.

What is another word for separate?

You can replace separate with words such as distinct, break and detached. See the full list of separate synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of separate?

The opposite of separate can be expressed with words like joint, unite, unify and annex.

What is the plural of separate?

The plural of separate is separates.

What is the past tense of separate?

The past tense of separate is separated. The present participle is separating.

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