respect
Admiration and consideration for someone's qualities or rights.
Word facts
Definition
Respect is a feeling of admiration and consideration for someone because of their qualities, achievements, or rights. As a verb, to respect means to treat someone with that regard.
Usage: Respect can be earned through behaviour or automatically owed because of someone's rights. Esteem implies a high level of respect. Regard is slightly milder.
Example sentences
- 1
She earned the respect of her team through honesty and hard work.
- 2
Respect for others' opinions is essential in any productive discussion.
- 3
He always treated everyone with equal respect, regardless of their position.
Word family
From Latin respectus ('regard, consideration'), from respicere ('to look back at'), from re- + specere ('to look'). Respect is to look again — to look carefully at someone's worth.
Respect = re + spect. Spect means to look (as in spectacle). To respect is to really look at someone — to see their value.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the adjective form of respect?
Respectful. Example: A respectful tone makes disagreements easier to resolve.
What is the difference between respect and admiration?
Respect often focuses on someone's rights or conduct. Admiration focuses on their achievements or qualities and has a more positive emotional tone.