What does "respect" mean?
An attitude of consideration or high regard.
Respect
/ɹɪˈspɛkt/ intj, noun, verb
intj, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An attitude of consideration or high regard.
- Grammar: respect is listed as intj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: esteem, regard, abide by, abide by.
- Useful contrasts: abased, bad attitude, condescending.
- Usage evidence: To be quiet in class is to respect other people's sleep.
How to use "respect"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "respect" 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 "respect" 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 "respect" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "respect" 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 "respect" is acting as intj, 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 "esteem" 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.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "respect", 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 An attitude of consideration or high regard. uncountable
"He is an intellectual giant, and I have great respect for him."
- 2 behavior intended to please your parents wordnet
- 3 Good opinion, honor, or admiration. uncountable
- 4 a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard wordnet
- 5 Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death. uncountable
"The mourners paid their last respects to the deceased poet."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 courteous regard for people's feelings wordnet
- 7 A particular aspect, feature or detail of something. countable
"This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects."
- 8 (usually preceded by ‘in’) a detail or point wordnet
- 9 Good will; favor. countable, uncountable
"And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them."
- 10 an attitude of admiration or esteem wordnet
- 11 a feeling of friendship and esteem wordnet
- 12 the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded) wordnet
Verb
- 1 To have respect for.
"She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly."
- 2 regard highly; think much of wordnet
- 3 To have regard for something, to observe a custom, practice, rule or right.
"I respect your right to hold that belief, although I think it is nonsense."
- 4 show respect towards wordnet
- 5 To abide by an agreement.
"They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
"[T]hou reſpecteſt not ſpilling Edwards bloud: [...]"
- 7 To relate to; to be concerned with. transitive
"Whatever they are else, they are always chastisements; and correction respects faults."
- 8 To regard; to consider; to deem. obsolete
"[T]his my friend (knowen by no name) was found, / Being then a child and ſcarce of power to ſpeake, / To whom my father gaue this name of Gaſper, / And as his own reſpected him to death, [...]"
- 9 To look toward; to face. obsolete
"That Palladius adviſeth the front of his edifice ſhould ſo reſpect the South, that in the firſt angle it receive the riſing raies of the winter Sunne, and decline a little from the winter ſetting thereof."
Intj
- 1 hello, hi Jamaica
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"To be quiet in class is to respect other people's sleep."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "respect"?
Common synonyms include: esteem, regard, abide by, abide by, accept, acceptance.
How do you use "respect" in a sentence?
To be quiet in class is to respect other people's sleep.
How do you pronounce "respect"?
Pronounced /ɹɪˈspɛkt/.
Etymology
From Middle English respect, from Old French respect, also respit (“respect, regard, consideration”), from Latin respectus (“a looking at, regard, respect”), perfect passive participle of respiciō (“look at, look back upon, respect”), from re- (“back”) + speciō (“to see”). Doublet of respite.