respect
a particular, detail, or point (usually preceded by in): to differ in some respect.
relation or reference: inquiries with respect to a route.
esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect for her judgment.
deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect's right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the elderly.
the condition of being esteemed or honored: to be held in respect.
respects, a formal expression or gesture of greeting, esteem, or friendship: Give my respects to your parents.
favor or partiality.
Archaic. a consideration.
to hold in esteem or honor: I cannot respect a cheat.
to show regard or consideration for: to respect someone's rights.
to refrain from intruding upon or interfering with: to respect a person's privacy.
to relate or have reference to.
Idioms about respect
in respect of, in reference to; in regard to; concerning.
in respect that, Archaic. because of; since.
pay one's respects,
to visit in order to welcome, greet, etc.: We paid our respects to the new neighbors.
to express one's sympathy, especially to survivors following a death: We paid our respects to the family.
with respect to, referring to; concerning: with respect to your latest request.
Origin of respect
1synonym study For respect
word story For respect
The meaning “esteem for a person, thing, or quality” first appeared in 1526; the corresponding verb meaning “to hold in esteem” is first recorded in 1583. The prepositional phrase with respect to “referring to; concerning” dates to the mid-16th century. The plural noun respects “a formal expression or gesture of greeting, esteem, or friendship” dates to the first half of the 17th century; the phrase to pay one’s respects “to make a visit in order to welcome, greet, etc., or to express one's sympathy, especially after a death” dates to the middle of the 17th century.
Other words for respect
1 | regard, feature, matter |
2 | regard, connection |
3 | estimation, reverence, homage, honor |
7 | bias, preference |
9 | revere, venerate, consider, admire |
10 | heed |
Other words from respect
- qua·si-re·spect·ed, adjective
- un·der·re·spect·ed, adjective
- un·re·spect·ed, adjective
- well-re·spect·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for respect
/ (rɪˈspɛkt) /
an attitude of deference, admiration, or esteem; regard
the state of being honoured or esteemed
a detail, point, or characteristic; particular: he differs in some respects from his son
reference or relation (esp in the phrases in respect of, with respect to)
polite or kind regard; consideration: respect for people's feelings
(often plural) an expression of esteem or regard (esp in the phrase pay one's respects)
to have an attitude of esteem towards; show or have respect for: to respect one's elders
to pay proper attention to; not violate: to respect Swiss neutrality
to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly
archaic to concern or refer to
Origin of respect
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with respect
see in regard (respect) to; pay a call (one's respects); with all due respect.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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