adv Uncommon

respectfully

rih-SPEHKT-fuh-lee

Respectfully (adv) means In a manner that shows courtesy and regard for someone. Example: “She respectfully disagreed with her manager's decision.”

adv

In a manner that shows courtesy and regard for someone.

"She respectfully disagreed with her manager's decision."

"He asked the judge, respectfully, to reconsider."

How to use respectfully

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDoing or saying something in a polite, considerate way.

Easily confused with

respectively →

Common pairings

respectfully disagree respectfully submit yours respectfully

Word forms

more respectfully comparative, most respectfully superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ disagreed with her manager's decision.

Etymology

From respectful plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

Rhymes for respectfully

gully fully sully bully cully Tully Scully awfully joyfully lawfully woefully hopefully

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Frequently asked questions

What does “respectfully” mean?

The word “respectfully” means in a manner that shows courtesy and regard for someone. In plain terms, doing or saying something in a polite, considerate way.

How do you pronounce “respectfully”?

“Respectfully” is pronounced rih-SPEHKT-fuh-lee (/ɹɪˈspɛkt.fə.li/ in IPA).

How do you use “respectfully” in a sentence?

Here is “respectfully” used in a sentence: “She respectfully disagreed with her manager's decision.”

What part of speech is “respectfully”?

“Respectfully” is an adverb.

Is “respectfully” a common word?

“Respectfully” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Vocabulary lists that include respectfully:

12 letter words