respectful

[ri-spekt-fuhl]

adjective

1. full of, characterized by, or showing politeness or deference.

   a respectful reply.

   Synonyms: deferential, civil, decorous, polite, courteous
   Antonyms: disrespectful, discourteous

respectful

/ rɪˈspɛktfʊl /

adjective

1. full of, showing, or giving respect

Other Word Forms

• respectfully adverb
• respectfulness noun
• quasi-respectful adjective
• quasi-respectfully adverb
• unrespectful adjective
• unrespectfully adverb
• unrespectfulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of respectful¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; respect + -ful

Example Sentences

"The fund wants to support impact-driven companies that use local resources in environmentally respectful ways," said Sebastien Beth, one of its managers.

Read more on Barron's

"He is very respectful of all of the greats that have gone before. Don't worry about the way Ben has said it."

Read more on BBC

Renovating a historic home, as Brettler discovered, is a careful dance between how much you change while being respectful of the original details.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

McInnis has said she prefers “behind-the-scenes work” to public pronouncements and believes it “respectful” to refrain from commenting on peer institutions.

Read more on Salon

He wouldn’t put them back, and he was less than respectful to the adults in charge.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• admiring 
• appreciative 
• civil 
• considerate 
• deferential 
• gracious 
• humble 
• obedient 
• polite 
• reverent 
• reverential 
• self-effacing 
• well-mannered