respect
respect — noun
1. the admiration you feel towards a person whose character, abilities, or achievem
the admiration you feel towards a person whose character, abilities, or achievements you believe are worthy of praise
The students have great respect for Ms. Chen because she explains things so clearly.
collocation: have great respect for someone
Dr. Okonkwo earned the respect of the whole hospital through years of careful work.
collocation: earn the respect of
Nala felt deep respect for her grandmother, who raised six children alone.
collocation: deep respect for
Public respect for the fire service grew after the team rescued three people.
His respect for the artist increased after he learned how much practice each painting required.
- great respect
- deep respect
- earn respect
- show respect
- have respect for
- admiration
more emotional and enthusiastic than respect
- esteem
more formal and implies a high opinion based on worth
- regard
slightly less strong; often used in polite formulas
- disrespect
lack of respect or admiration
- contempt
strong feeling of looking down on someone
Grammar Patterns
have/show/earn respect for someone/something
Usage Note
Often followed by the preposition 'for': 'respect for someone/something'. Commonly appears in patterns such as 'have/show respect for' or 'earn/gain the respect of'.
Common Mistakes
2. polite and careful behaviour that shows you consider someone or something import
polite and careful behaviour that shows you consider someone or something important
All visitors to the temple should show respect by removing their shoes before entering.
collocation: show respect by + gerund
The tour guide treated every guest with respect and answered each question patiently.
pattern: treat someone with respect
Eleni showed respect for her host family by learning a few phrases in their language.
In many countries, bowing is a way of showing respect to older people.
The children were taught to speak with respect when addressing the school headteacher.
pattern: with respect
- treat with respect
- show respect
- owe respect
- with respect
- rudeness
behaviour that shows a lack of respect
- disrespect
lack of polite regard
Grammar Patterns
show/treat someone with respect
have respect for
Usage Note
Commonly used with prepositions 'for', 'to', or 'towards'. Frequent collocations include 'show respect', 'treat with respect', and 'owe respect'.
Common Mistakes
3. the belief that something deserves to be protected or kept as it is because it m
the belief that something deserves to be protected or kept as it is because it matters to you or to others
The community has deep respect for the old forest and will not allow logging.
collocation: deep respect for the [environment]
Sophia spoke of her respect for the Sunday dinner tradition kept by her family.
A lack of respect for public property shows in the graffiti on the park walls.
pattern: lack of respect for
The new generation shows little respect for the old customs of the village.
- deep respect
- lack of respect
- respect for tradition
- respect for the environment
- appreciation
focuses more on recognising value than on protecting something
- consideration
implies thoughtfulness rather than admiration
- disregard
lack of attention or care for something important
Grammar Patterns
have/show respect for something
Usage Note
Subject is most often a person or group; object is typically a tradition, custom, institution, or element of the natural environment.
4. the willingness to accept that people from other backgrounds hold different valu
the willingness to accept that people from other backgrounds hold different values and customs, and to act so as not to cause them offence
Living in a diverse city teaches children the importance of respect for different cultures.
collocation: respect for different cultures
The school programme on cultural respect helps students understand holidays celebrated around the world.
Aarav believes that respect for other religions is essential in any peaceful society.
The museum exhibition promoted respect for the traditions of the local indigenous community.
collocation: promote respect for
- respect for cultures
- respect for diversity
- promote respect
- cultural respect
- tolerance
more about enduring differences rather than actively accepting them
- acceptance
more passive; implies letting be rather than showing positive regard
- prejudice
negative judgement based on group membership rather than individual qualities
- intolerance
unwillingness to accept differences
Grammar Patterns
respect for other cultures/differences
Usage Note
Common in contexts of cultural diversity, social inclusion, and international understanding. Typically followed by 'for': 'respect for other cultures'.
Common Mistakes
5. polite words, messages, or visits that express your admiration or honour toward
polite words, messages, or visits that express your admiration or honour toward someone, especially on formal or solemn occasions
The ambassador went to pay his respects at the memorial ceremony for the former president.
fixed expression: pay one's respects
Family members came from across the country to pay their last respects at the funeral.
fixed expression: pay one's last respects
Dewi sent a card to pay her respects after hearing of the family's loss.
Representatives from several countries arrived at the palace to pay their respects to the king.
- pay respects
- pay last respects
- pay one's respects
Grammar Patterns
pay one's respects (to someone)
Usage Note
Nearly always part of the fixed expression 'pay one's respects'. Used in formal contexts such as funerals, official visits, or memorial ceremonies. 'Pay one's last respects' specifically refers to visiting a person who has died or attending a funeral.
Common Mistakes
6. a particular point, feature, or detail that you consider when thinking about or
a particular point, feature, or detail that you consider when thinking about or discussing something
In this respect, the new policy gives workers far better protection than the old one.
fixed phrase: in this respect
The two phones are similar in most respects, but the camera quality is quite different.
fixed phrase: in most respects
Wei is a talented musician in every respect — he sings, plays piano, and writes songs.
fixed phrase: in every respect
In some respects, raising a child is like helping a young plant grow strong.
The report was excellent in all respects and received praise from every department.
- in this respect
- in many respects
- in every respect
- in all respects
Grammar Patterns
in this/that respect
in many/some respects
in every respect
Usage Note
Confined to fixed prepositional phrases such as 'in this/that respect', 'in many/some/all respects', and 'in every respect'. Not typically used as a standalone countable noun outside these patterns.
Common Mistakes
Concerning or related to a particular thing.
The company paid a fine in respect of the safety violation.
She received extra payment in respect of the additional hours worked.
To visit or send a message to someone as a sign of honor or good wishes.
Many fans came to pay their respects at the singer's funeral.
We should pay our respects to the host before leaving the party.
Used politely before disagreeing with someone, often strongly.
With all due respect, I think your plan has a major flaw.
With respect, the evidence does not support your conclusion.
In connection with or regarding a particular subject.
The new policy is fair with respect to all employees.
With respect to your question, we need more data.
respect — verb
1. to have a positive opinion of someone based on their character, skills, or the t
to have a positive opinion of someone based on their character, skills, or the things they have achieved
Ignacio respects his older brother deeply because he worked hard to become a doctor.
pattern: respect someone for + noun clause
Many people respected the journalist for reporting the truth even when it was dangerous.
collocation: respect someone for + -ing
Élise respected her coach for pushing the team to practise harder without being unkind.
I deeply respect anyone who can speak three languages fluently and switch between them.
Constanza respected the elderly man who had served in the army for over thirty years.
- deeply respect
- respect for
- respect someone as
- admire
very close in meaning, sometimes more emotional
- look up to
informal; implies seeing someone as a role model
- hold in high regard
more formal; focuses on reputation
- look down on
to think someone is less important or worthy
- despise
to feel strong dislike or contempt for someone
Grammar Patterns
respect + noun phrase
respect + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
respect + that-clause
Usage Note
Frequently followed by 'for' explaining the reason for admiration: 'respect someone for something'. A that-clause can also be used: 'I respect that you disagree.'
Common Mistakes
2. to have a sense of your own value as a person and to expect others to treat you
to have a sense of your own value as a person and to expect others to treat you with dignity
It is important to respect yourself enough to say no when something feels wrong.
reflexive: respect yourself
Feng taught his son to respect himself and not follow the crowd to fit in.
After leaving the toxic workplace, Renata finally felt she could respect herself again.
Learning to respect yourself is the first step toward building healthy friendships with others.
pattern: respect yourself is the first step to...
- respect yourself
- respect oneself
- have self-respect
equivalent phrasing using the noun form
- have no self-worth
to lack a sense of one's own value
Grammar Patterns
respect yourself
Usage Note
Nearly always used reflexively with 'yourself', 'himself', 'herself', etc. Common in advice, self-help, and parenting contexts. Do not use with an external object.
Common Mistakes
3. to treat a person, animal, or object with gentleness and attention because you v
to treat a person, animal, or object with gentleness and attention because you value it
The farmer respects his animals by giving them clean water, fresh food, and warm shelter.
pattern: respect + animal + by + -ing
Nikhil taught his younger sister to respect her books by not folding the pages.
The old violin was respected by its owner and kept in good shape for decades.
passive: was respected by
The neighbours agreed to respect the garden while the family was away on their trip.
Nellie respects her grandmother's belongings and never touches them without asking first.
- respect someone's belongings
- respect an animal
- respect the environment
- take care of
more action-oriented; focuses on practical care
- look after
less formal; implies regular attention and responsibility
Grammar Patterns
respect + noun phrase (person, animal, or object)
Usage Note
Object is typically something or someone that needs care: animals, elderly people, belongings, the environment. Can be used in the passive voice: 'was respected by'.
4. to accept that someone has the right to their own beliefs, wishes, or way of lif
to accept that someone has the right to their own beliefs, wishes, or way of life, and to avoid doing anything that would upset or harm them
The new law requires employers to respect workers' rights to take breaks during long shifts.
collocation: respect the rights of
Teachers must respect each student's background and avoid favouring one group over another.
Christopher asked his roommate to respect his need for quiet study time in the evenings.
pattern: respect someone's need for
The government promised to respect local traditions when building the new road through the village.
Good parents respect their children's opinions even when they do not agree with them.
- respect rights
- respect privacy
- respect beliefs
- respect traditions
- respect opinions
- honour
more formal; implies active commitment to upholding something
- acknowledge
less strong; focuses on recognising existence rather than active regard
- be mindful of
implies careful awareness rather than deep regard
Grammar Patterns
respect + noun phrase (rights, beliefs, privacy, opinions)
Usage Note
Object is usually an abstract noun: rights, beliefs, privacy, traditions, opinions, boundaries. Frequently used in legal and social contexts.
Common Mistakes
5. to accept that a decision, wish, or situation has value and to not try to change
to accept that a decision, wish, or situation has value and to not try to change it against the other person's will
Eitan decided to respect his girlfriend's wish to keep their relationship private for now.
pattern: respect someone's wish to + infinitive
The court respected the family's decision to donate their son's organs after the accident.
Zuri respected her aunt's choice to live alone although the rest of the family worried.
pattern: respect someone's choice to + infinitive
The committee respected the artist's request not to change any part of the original painting.
- respect a decision
- respect a wish
- respect a choice
- respect a request
Grammar Patterns
respect + noun phrase (decision, wish, choice, situation)
respect + that-clause
Usage Note
Object is typically a decision, choice, wish, or situation. Often appears in formal or sensitive contexts such as court proceedings, family discussions, or negotiations.
6. to follow a law, rule, or official instruction because you believe it is correct
to follow a law, rule, or official instruction because you believe it is correct to do so
All drivers must respect the speed limit, especially when passing through school zones.
collocation: respect the speed limit
Kian reminded his classmates to respect the library rules by keeping their voices low.
collocation: respect the rules
The construction company was fined for not respecting safety regulations on the building site.
collocation: respect regulations
Visitors to the nature reserve must respect the rules about staying on marked paths.
Every citizen should respect the laws of the country they live in.
- respect the law
- respect the rules
- respect regulations
- respect the speed limit
- obey
more direct and commonly used for rules and laws
- follow
less formal; suggests compliance without the sense of moral approval
- comply with
more formal; used in official and legal English
Grammar Patterns
respect + noun phrase (law, rule, regulation, requirement)
Usage Note
Object is typically a law, rule, regulation, or official requirement. Common in legal, safety, and civic contexts. Often interchangeable with 'obey' or 'follow' in such contexts.
Common Mistakes
7. to do as someone requests, especially as a way of showing that you accept their
to do as someone requests, especially as a way of showing that you accept their authority or personal wishes
Andrew respected his father's wish to have a small funeral with only close family present.
pattern: respect someone's wish to + infinitive
The nurse respected the patient's request to be woken up at six o'clock every morning.
collocation: respect a request
Indra respected her friend's wish not to discuss the argument in front of other people.
The lawyer promised to respect the client's instructions about how to handle the case.
- respect a wish
- respect a request
- respect instructions
- respect someone's wishes
- comply with
more formal; focuses on meeting a requirement or request
- carry out
more action-oriented; focuses on the act of doing
- honour
implies doing something as a sign of respect for the person making the request
Grammar Patterns
respect + noun phrase (request, wish, instruction)
Usage Note
Object is typically a request, instruction, or wish. Formal register. Often used when discussing end-of-life wishes, legal instructions, or sensitive personal preferences.
Word family
- respectfuladjectiveB1
- respectableadjectiveB2
- respectfullyadverbB1
- disrespectnounB2
- disrespectfuladjectiveB2
- self-respectnounB2
- respectabilitynounC1
- disrespectfullyadverbC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
'Respect' and 'admire' are the closest in meaning, but 'admire' often carries a warmer, more emotional tone — you might admire someone's courage but respect their judgement. 'Look up to' is informal and suggests the person is a role model, especially for younger people. 'Hold in high regard' is more formal and focuses on reputation and standing within a community or profession. 'Esteem' is rare in everyday conversation and sounds formal or old-fashioned. For example: 'I respect my boss because she is fair' (duty and recognition), but 'I admire my boss for standing up to the board' (emotional approval). A child might look up to a sportsperson, while the court holds a judge in high regard.
Common collocations
Etymology
'Respect' comes from Latin 'respectus', meaning 'a looking back' or 'regard'. The word is formed from 're-' (back) and 'specere' (to look). It entered English through Old French in the 14th century, originally carrying the idea of 'paying attention to' something, which later developed into the modern meaning of showing honour or admiration.