respect
rih-SPEHKT
Respect (noun) means a feeling of admiration for someone or something, based on their qualities or achievements. Example: “Teachers should treat pupils with respect, and pupils should do the same.”
noun
1
A feeling of admiration for someone or something, based on their qualities or achievements.
"Teachers should treat pupils with respect, and pupils should do the same."
"She earned the respect of her colleagues through hard work."
"He has great respect for his old teacher."
2
A particular aspect or detail of something.
"The two houses differ in only one respect, which is the size of the garden."
"In every respect, the trip was better than we had expected."
"In some respects, the two plans are very similar."
verb
1
To admire someone or something, or to treat them with consideration.
"I respect anyone who admits their mistakes and tries to put things right."
"Employees are expected to respect one another's time."
"You should respect other people's opinions even if you disagree."
How to use respect
Learner’s notes
Easily confused with
Common pairings
show respect
earn respect
with respect to
in this respect
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Word forms
- Plural
- respects
- Third person singular
- respects
- Past tense
- respected
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Teachers should treat pupils with _____, and pupils should do the same.
Etymology
From Old French respect, from Latin respectus, "a looking back, regard" — from re- ("back") plus specio ("to see"). A doublet of "respite".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for respect
See all rhymes for respect →Frequently asked questions
What does “respect” mean?
The word “respect” means a feeling of admiration for someone or something, based on their qualities or achievements.
How do you pronounce “respect”?
“Respect” is pronounced rih-SPEHKT (/ɹɪˈspɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “respect” in a sentence?
Here is “respect” used in a sentence: “She earned the respect of her colleagues through hard work.”
What is the opposite of “respect”?
The opposite of “respect” — its antonyms — are belittlement, contempt, contumely, despect and disdain.
What part of speech is “respect”?
Depending on how it is used, “respect” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “respect” come from?
The word “respect” comes from Latin. From Old French respect, from Latin respectus, "a looking back, regard" — from re- ("back") plus specio ("to see"). A doublet of "respite".
Is “respect” a common word?
“Respect” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “respect” have?
“Respect” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of admiration for someone or something, based on their qualities or achievements.
What is the difference between respect and admiration?
Respect is recognising someone's worth, rights, or authority and treating them accordingly, even if you do not personally like them. Admiration is a warmer feeling of approval and delight in someone's qualities or achievements. You can respect a rival's skill without admiring them, though the two feelings often go together.
What is the difference between respect and fear?
Respect is admiration or regard freely given because of someone's qualities or position. Fear is anxiety about being harmed. A leader who is respected is followed willingly; one who is only feared is obeyed reluctantly. Healthy authority relies on earned respect rather than intimidation, even though people sometimes confuse the two.
Can respect be earned?
Yes. While basic courtesy is owed to everyone, deeper respect is usually earned through consistent honesty, competence, fairness, and how a person treats others. It builds over time and can be lost quickly through dishonest or careless behaviour. This is the idea behind the common phrase 'respect is earned, not given'.
What is the opposite of respect?
The main opposites are 'contempt' and 'disrespect'. Contempt is an active feeling that someone is beneath consideration, while disrespect is rude or dismissive treatment that denies a person's worth. Both signal the absence of the admiration and regard that respect involves, and both can seriously damage relationships and trust.
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