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respect

n. · v.
US //ɹiˈspɛkt// UK //ɹɪspˈɛkt// re·spect
  1. 1 admiration (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a feeling of deep admiration for someone because of their qualities or achievements.

    a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

    Example

    The students have a lot of respect for their teacher because she is very fair.

    Example

    The retired diplomat commanded immense respect across the political spectrum for his role in brokering the peace treaty.
  2. 2 polite greetings (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    polite greetings or a way to show you are thinking of someone, especially after a death.

    polite greetings or expressions of esteem, frequently used in formal contexts or when offering condolences.

    Example

    Please give my respects to your parents when you see them this weekend.

    Example

    Hundreds of mourners gathered at the cathedral to pay their last respects to the former prime minister.
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  1. 3 a specific detail (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a particular detail, feature, or way of looking at something.

    a particular aspect, feature, or detail of a matter under consideration.

    Example

    The two cars are similar in many respects, but the engine is different.

    Example

    While the new policy is an improvement in some respects, it fails to address the underlying issue of funding.
  2. 4 to admire (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to feel or show admiration for someone's skills or character.

    to admire someone or something deeply as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

    Example

    I really respect the way he handled that difficult customer.

    Example

    Even those who disagreed with her policies respected her unwavering commitment to her principles.
  3. 5 to follow rules (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to follow a rule, a law, or someone's wishes.

    to agree to or abide by a law, rule, custom, or person's privacy and wishes.

    Example

    Visitors are asked to respect the silence of the library.

    Example

    The hikers were reminded to respect the boundaries of the private property and stay on the marked trails.
Origin

From Middle English respect, from Old French respect, also respit (“respect, regard, consideration”), from Latin respectus (“a looking at, regard, respect”), perfect passive participle of respiciō (“look at, look back upon, respect”), from re- (“back”) + speciō (“to see”). Doublet of respite.

Word family

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