Standard Lemma guide

respectfulness

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The characteristic of being respectful.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

courteous regard for people's feelings

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • in deference to your wishes
  • out of respect for his privacy

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: deference, respect

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: courtesy, good manners

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English respectful Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English respectfulness From respectful + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: почтителност (počtitelnost) — The characteristic of being respectful
  • Bulgarian: вежливост (vežlivost) — The characteristic of being respectful
  • German: Respekt — The characteristic of being respectful
  • Italian: rispetto — The characteristic of being respectful
  • Spanish: respetuosidad — The characteristic of being respectful