respectful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of respectful
Explanation
If you’re respectful, you show consideration and regard for someone or something. Be respectful of your neighbors and turn down your disco music when it gets late. Respectful is the adjective form of the common word respect, which means a feeling of admiration. So when you behave in a way that’s respectful, you’re doing something to show admiration for another person. You might sit in respectful silence when your teacher enters the room. You can be respectful of situations as well as people. You might be respectful of the democratic process and not complain about not winning your school election.
Vocabulary lists containing respectful
List 1
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Workshop 4, Part 2
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Positive and Uplifting Tones
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The show is very female-centred," Meagan says, adding: "Women are talked about and cared for in a respectful way, and the emphasis is on choice and consent."
From BBC • May 30, 2026
Colbert had a warm and respectful connection with the musician, who appeared on the show several times.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
"We should be respectful and careful to say 'the past doesn't work and now...I'm a magician'," she said.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
Via email, he said that his "intention has always been to create light-hearted, respectful interactions".
From BBC • May 7, 2026
We both gave respectful curtsies, though I couldn’t help but add a few bows at the same time, which might have given me the appearance of a whooping crane in courting season.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
