# disrespectful

/ˌdɪsɹɪˈspɛktfəɫ/ (US) · /dˌɪsɹɪspˈɛktfəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disrespectful
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. rude or impolite

adjective · CEFR B2

showing a lack of respect or being rude to someone, especially someone older or in a higher position.

For teachers: exhibiting a lack of respect, courtesy, or deference toward a person, institution, or social norm.

- The student was sent to the office for being disrespectful to the substitute teacher.
- The manager found the employee's constant interruptions during the presentation to be deeply disrespectful to the rest of the team.

### 2. ignoring or heedless

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

not paying attention to rules, feelings, or the importance of something.

For teachers: showing a lack of regard or heed for specific consequences, feelings, or established protocols.

- He continued to make loud noise, disrespectful of the fact that his neighbors were sleeping.
- The developer proceeded with the demolition, seemingly disrespectful of the historical significance the building held for the local community.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'of' in this sense.

## Examples

- It is disrespectful to talk while the teacher is speaking.
- The manager felt that the employee's constant interruptions during the meeting were deeply disrespectful to the rest of the team.
- While some viewed the protest as a necessary political statement, others considered the act of defacing the monument to be inherently disrespectful to the nation's history and its veterans.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.