respect
gb/ɹɪspˈɛkt/ us/ɹɪspˈɛkt/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
Admiration and high regard
A good feeling you have for someone because they are good at something or have good qualities.
Usage pattern:
respect for [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'respect' (noun) with 'respects' (plural) meaning greetings or regards in formal letters.
Synonyms
esteem (Slightly more formal; emphasizes high opinion or value placed on someone.)
Antonyms
disrespect (Lack of admiration or regard; showing rudeness or contempt.)
Collocations
earn respect
|gain respect
|show respect
|lose respect
|mutual respect
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|values
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has earned the respect of her colleagues through hard work.
- Children should be taught to show respect for their elders.
- His courage won him the respect of the entire community.
- Respect for the law is essential in a peaceful society.
Learner examples
- I have great respect for my teacher.
- We must show respect to older people.
- He has the respect of his friends.
- Respect for rules is important.
Verb
A2
action
2
Show admiration and regard
To think someone or something is good and important, and to treat them well because of that.
Usage pattern:
to respect [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'respect to' instead of 'respect' directly. Correct: 'I respect him,' not 'I respect to him.'
Synonyms
admire (Focuses more on positive feelings than on proper treatment.)
Antonyms
disrespect (To treat without proper regard or courtesy.)
Collocations
respect others
|respect the rules
|respect authority
|respect someone's wishes
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|values
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I really respect her for standing up for what she believes in.
- We must respect the environment and protect it for future generations.
- He respects his parents' advice, even if he doesn't always follow it.
Learner examples
- I respect my father very much.
- We should respect the law.
- She respects her teachers.
Noun
B1
action
3
Politeness and consideration
Polite actions and words you use to show you think someone is important.
Synonyms
courtesy (Emphasizes politeness and manners rather than deep admiration.)
Antonyms
rudeness (Implication of impolite or inconsiderate behavior.)
Collocations
out of respect
|with respect
|pay respect
Themes
manners
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They spoke quietly out of respect for the sleeping baby.
- Please show some respect when visiting the memorial site.
- The students stood in silence as a sign of respect.
Learner examples
- We were quiet out of respect for the teacher.
- He took off his hat as a sign of respect.
- They listened with respect.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
4
Particular aspect or detail
A specific part or way of thinking about something.
Usage pattern:
in this/that/some respect(s)
Common mistake:
'Respects' here is plural and does not mean feelings of admiration.
Synonyms
regard (Formal; used similarly to mean aspect or consideration.)
Collocations
in this respect
|in many respects
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In this respect, our plan differs from theirs.
- The two proposals are similar in many respects.
- In some respects, the new policy is better than the old one.
Learner examples
- In this respect, I agree with you.
- The cars are alike in many respects.
- The new rule is better in some respects.
Grammar
Dictionary form
respect
IPA
GB/ɹɪspˈɛkt/
US/ɹɪspˈɛkt/
Syllables & stress
re - spect (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (spect)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: respect
- Plural: respect, respects
Verb
- Base: respect
- 3rd Person Singular: respects
- Present Participle: respecting
- Past: respected
Word family
Forms
respects
noun
respecting
verb
respected
verb
Core family
respectful
adjective B1
respectfully
adverb B2
Related words
respectable
adjective B1
respectably
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
Expressions
in this respect
1/ˈɪn ðˈɪs ɹɪspˈɛkt/
fixed phrase
formal
About this aspect or point
About this part of the topic we are talking about now.
Examples
- In this respect, our results match the earlier findings.
- The two systems are similar in this respect.
no respect for [someone/something]
1/nˈoʊ ɹɪspˈɛkt fɚ sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Complete lack of regard
Not having any good feeling or polite behavior toward someone or something.
Examples
- He shows no respect for authority.
- They have no respect for the rules.
out of respect (for)
1/ˈaʊt əv ɹɪspˈɛkt fɚ/
fixed phrase
Due to polite regard
Because you want to be polite and show that you think someone is important.
Examples
- They lowered their voices out of respect for the speaker.
- Out of respect for her wishes, we kept the news private.
pay your respects
1/pˈeɪ jˈʊɹ ɹɪspˈɛkts/
fixed phrase
Show honor after death
To visit someone’s funeral or grave to show you care and honor them.
Examples
- Hundreds came to pay their respects at the funeral.
- We stopped by the cemetery to pay our respects.
with all due respect
1/wˈɪθ ˈɔl dˈu ɹɪspˈɛkt/
idiom
formal
Polite disagreement phrase
A polite way to start saying you do not agree with someone or want to criticize them.
Examples
- With all due respect, I think you are mistaken.
- With all due respect, that plan will not work.
with all due respect
7/wˈɪθ ˈɔl dˈu ɹɪspˈɛkt/
idiom
formal
polite disagreement opener
Say "with all due respect" before a disagreement, but be careful: it can sound less polite than intended.
Examples
- With all due respect, I don't think that's accurate.
- With all due respect to the committee, this plan will not work.
- With all due respect, you weren't there.