Separate Meaning
Separate Definition & Usage
To divide or set apart something or someone into distinct parts or groups.
Examples
- "The teacher asked the students to separate into groups for the project."
- "Please separate the white clothes from the colored ones before washing."
- "They separated the children into two categories based on age."
- "After the election results, the country seemed more separate than ever."
- "She separated the funds for personal and business expenses."
To disengage or create a distance between people or things, either physically or emotionally.
Examples
- "After the argument, they decided to separate for a while to cool off."
- "The couple chose to separate after five years of marriage."
- "The dog separated from its owner when it was frightened by the loud noise."
- "She felt increasingly separate from her colleagues due to her differing views."
- "It's difficult to separate work issues from personal life."
Existing or operating individually; not joined or connected to others.
Examples
- "They live in separate houses on different streets."
- "The two tasks require separate attention."
- "She prefers to work in a separate space away from distractions."
- "Each department has separate budgets for the project."
- "The hotel has separate rooms for business and leisure guests."
Cultural Context
The concept of separation can have both positive and negative connotations depending on context. It can signify independence, personal space, or the need for distinct boundaries. However, it can also imply isolation, loneliness, or conflict. Cultural references often use separation in the context of relationships, such as divorce, or in geopolitical discussions, like national borders or regional divisions.
The Space Between Us
Story
The Space Between Us
Emily sat by the window, staring out into the distance. It had been a month since she and David had made the decision to separate. Their once lively apartment now felt like an echo of something that used to be. She could still hear his voice in her head, but it felt distant, separated from her current reality. The apartment was now a series of divided spaces—her side, with books and plants, and his side, cluttered with old sports equipment and an empty coffee cup. Emily often wondered if they had grown too separate from each other. In the beginning, they had been inseparable, always together, sharing everything. But as time went on, they had found themselves separating, not just physically, but emotionally. Conversations had become sparse, each of them retreating to their own corners, both literally and figuratively. One day, David came over to pick up some of his things. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken words. 'I think it's time to finally separate everything,' he said, breaking the silence. Emily nodded, her throat tight. It wasn’t just their belongings that were being separated. It felt like they were finally acknowledging that their paths in life had diverged. Later that day, Emily sat at her desk, writing an email about a new project. She had separated herself from the idea of working on joint ventures anymore, preferring to work independently. But as she clicked 'send' on the email, a sense of peace washed over her. The separation, both in her personal and professional life, had given her space to breathe. As weeks passed, she realized that while separation had been painful, it had also allowed her to rediscover parts of herself that had been buried for too long. She had separated from the old version of herself that had once been defined by her relationship with David, and now, she was learning to be her own person again. David sent her a text one evening: 'I think we did the right thing. We're better off separate.' Emily stared at the message for a long moment before replying, 'Yes, I think so too.'
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