Meaning & use

separate

verb·Everyday

To divide or set apart from something else, or to stop being together.

See it in a sentence

The teacher separated the students into four small discussion groups.

The couple decided to separate after fifteen years of marriage.

A note on using this word

"Separate" also works as an adjective (a separate issue), with the stress and pronunciation shifting slightly from the verb form.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

combineunite

Another way to use it

2. adjective

Not connected to or the same as something else; distinct.

Please keep your personal work files in a separate folder.

Make it your own

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