respectful

/riˈspɛktfəl/

/rɛˈspɛktfəl/

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.

Definitions of respectful

1. adjective

   full of or exhibiting respect
   “respectful behavior”

   “a respectful glance”

   synonyms:

   courteous

   characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners

   humble

   marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful

   deferent, deferential, regardful

   showing deference

   honorific

   conferring or showing honor or respect

   reverent

   feeling or showing profound respect or veneration

   antonyms:

   disrespectful

   exhibiting lack of respect; rude and discourteous

   discourteous

   showing no courtesy; rude

   immodest

   having or showing an exaggerated opinion of your importance, ability, etc

   offensive

   causing anger or annoyance

   annihilating, devastating, withering

   making light of

   contemptuous, disdainful, insulting, scornful

   expressing extreme contempt

   contumelious

   arrogantly insolent

   derisive, gibelike, jeering, mocking, taunting

   abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule

   impious, undutiful

   lacking due respect or dutifulness

   flip, impudent, insolent, snotty-nosed

   marked by casual disrespect

   undeferential

   not showing courteous respect

   irreverent

   showing lack of due respect or veneration

   sarcastic

   expressing or expressive of ridicule that wounds
2. adjective

   feeling or manifesting veneration
   synonyms: reverential, venerating

   reverent

   feeling or showing profound respect or veneration