What does respectful mean?
Respectful means showing courtesy, consideration, and regard for other people, their rights, their feelings, or their importance. It describes conduct that recognizes the value of another person or perspective and avoids unnecessary rudeness, contempt, or dismissiveness. The word is commonly used in expressions such as respectful of, respectful toward, and a respectful tone, making it useful when discussing interpersonal behavior as well as respectful engagement with different cultures, communities, or opinions. Respectful is distinct from respectable: the former focuses on how one treats or regards something, while the latter means that something is worthy of respect. In everyday use, the word conveys positive social judgment, although it can also be used more formally in education, diplomacy, customer service, and public discourse.
adjectiveShowing or expressing respect, especially toward a person, institution, or idea. A respectful person considers the feelings, rights, or importance of others and acts courteously.
- Showing politeness, courtesy, and regard for another person or group.
- Expressing acknowledgement of someone's rights, feelings, authority, or importance.
- Characterized by careful and considerate treatment of a person, place, culture, or idea.
"She was respectful of his opinions even when she disagreed with them."
"The children were respectful to their elders."
"A respectful disagreement can be more productive than an argument."
Respectful behavior begins with a simple idea: paying close attention to the people and perspectives around you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does respectful come from?
The word respectful entered English in the early 17th century from respect, which comes from Latin respectus, a form of respectare meaning “to look back at” or “to regard.” Respectare was built from re-, meaning “again” or “back,” and specere, meaning “to look at.” Related English words include respectable, respective, and irrespective, all reflecting the same Latin root of looking, regarding, or relating to.
Related word forms
How respectful is actually used
Respectful is generally positive and complimentary when describing a person's conduct. The phrase respectful of emphasizes consideration for someone or something; respectful toward and respectful to are also common, with toward often used in American English and to common in British English.
Easily confused with respectful
Respectful describes how someone treats or regards another person, whereas respectable means worthy of respect or esteem.