regard
Americanverb (used with object)
-
regards,
present (3rd person singular)
-
regarded,
past participle, past
-
regarding
present participle
-
to look upon or think of with a particular feeling.
to regard a person with favor.
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to have or show respect or concern for.
-
to think highly of; esteem.
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to take into account; consider.
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to look at; observe.
She regarded him with amusement.
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to relate to; concern.
The news does not regard the explosion.
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to see, look at, or conceive of in a particular way; judge (usually followed byas ).
I regard every assignment as a challenge. They regarded his behavior as childish.
verb (used without object)
-
regards,
present (3rd person singular)
-
regarded,
past participle, past
-
regarding
present participle
-
to pay attention.
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to look or gaze.
noun
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reference; relation.
to err with regard to facts.
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an aspect, point, or particular.
quite satisfactory in this regard.
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thought; attention; concern.
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look; gaze.
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respect, esteem, or deference.
a high regard for scholarship.
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kindly feeling; liking.
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regards, sentiments of esteem or affection.
Give them my regards.
idioms
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as regards. as.
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with / in regard to, referring to; concerning: Also within regards to
With regard to the new contract, we have some questions.
verb
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to look closely or attentively at (something or someone); observe steadily
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(tr) to hold (a person or thing) in respect, admiration, or affection
we regard your work very highly
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(tr) to look upon or consider in a specified way
she regarded her brother as her responsibility
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(tr) to relate to; concern; have a bearing on
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to take notice of or pay attention to (something); heed
he has never regarded the conventions
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(preposition) in respect of; concerning
noun
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a gaze; look
-
attention; heed
he spends without regard to his bank balance
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esteem, affection, or respect
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reference, relation, or connection (esp in the phrases with regard to or in regard to )
-
(plural) good wishes or greetings (esp in the phrase with kind regards , used at the close of a letter)
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on this point
Usage
Although sometimes considered poor substitutes for about or concerning, the phrases as regards, in regard to, and with regard to are standard and occur in all varieties of spoken and written English, especially in business writing: As regards your letter of January 19. … Note that although in regards to and with regards to are generally considered poor usage, these less formal variants have become increasingly common.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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regardsimple
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regardssimple
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have regardedperfect
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has regardedperfect
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am regardingprogressive
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are regardingprogressive
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is regardingprogressive
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have been regardingperfect progressive
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has been regardingperfect progressive
Past
-
regardedsimple
-
had regardedperfect
-
was regardingprogressive
-
were regardingprogressive
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had been regardingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of regard
First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the verb) late Middle English, from Middle French regarder “to look at” ( cf. reward ); equivalent to re- + guard ; noun derivative of the verb
Explanation
When you give someone a good, long look, you regard them. It can also mean "to believe," as in "I regard her as my best friend." Regard often means respect and admiration, as in "I have the greatest regard for my grandmother." Sometimes it's a greeting: you can send someone your regards, which means to tell them you said hello and wish them well. There's a famous song called, "Give My Regards to Broadway." On the other hand, you can use it as a sign-off on a letter. Instead of "Sincerely" or "Yours Truly," you can close with "Regards."
Vocabulary lists containing regard
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The Town with No Mirrors
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Vocabulary from Readings 3, Unit 1
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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.
See Examples For:
“Honestly, so many hysterical actors are based out of here, and it makes it so much easier with regard to guest cast in a comedy,” Schumacker admits.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
"We should not regard screen time solely as harmful but seek balance between physical activity and screen time that promotes active thinking," Jalanko summarizes.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026
One thing you have to understand about the channel’s selections up front: Few of them are “original” stories in any regard.
From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2026
“It’s disappointing in that regard, to feel disrespected a little bit.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
“I have an announcement to make in regard to the ongoing Excelsior Award competition.”
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
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In regards to enforcement, they have said they will get in touch with customers who repeatedly do not follow the rules and may take further action if customers ignore the ban.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
It’s also painfully derivative as regards organized-crime dramas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
But the U.S. is unique in many regards.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
The exhibition regards the image as sardonic, raising “questions about the fraught concept of Native US citizenship.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
“Well, give my regards to your friend Dunbar. And you will tell him to dream that dream for me, won’t you?”
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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But now, there is a “premium” on traits that may not have been as highly regarded before the advent of AI, says workplace-performance expert Henna Pryor.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
Cuba’s once highly regarded medical services have deteriorated, so Mariño has bought all her own medical supplies for the birth of her daughter, including sutures and surgical tape.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Some have questioned whether those arrangements are legal or even constitutional; they could be regarded as export taxes or duties, which are specifically prohibited by the Constitution, according to the Tax Policy Center.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
Sources close to Palhinha say he has yet to make a decision but is open to a move to Villa Park, which is regarded as among his best options.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Paulson raised several billion dollars from investors who regarded his fund as an insurance policy on their portfolios of real estate–related stocks and bonds.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
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While early journal entries chronicle profound uncertainties regarding viral origins and transmission dynamics, public mandates were treated as absolute, unquestionable truths.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters in Tehran "an understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route".
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
Paramedics responded to a 911 call regarding a reported cardiac arrest at an apartment complex, Judson Mill Lofts west of downtown Greenville, at approximately 1:51 p.m.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
The former Nigerian president has "initiated a process of discussions regarding the Pretoria Agreement," an African diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
“Mrs. Jackson, I’m sorry that you feel that the school district has not been proactive regarding the incident with your daughter; however, an investigation is ongoing.”
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
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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.