What does respected mean?
Respected describes someone or something viewed with admiration, trust, and esteem. The word commonly suggests that a person has earned regard through competence, integrity, experience, or achievement, although it can also reflect professional standing or public reputation. It is used for individuals, groups, institutions, ideas, and practices: a respected author, respected traditions, or a widely respected institution. In conversation, the term is generally complimentary and conveys more than simple approval. It also differs from respectful, which describes considerate or deferential behavior toward another person. A respected physician, for example, may be held in high esteem by patients, while a respectful physician listens carefully and treats them courteously. The word is especially common in journalism, education, politics, and professional life, where credibility and public confidence are important.
Held in high esteem or regarded with admiration and acceptance.
"The mayor is respected throughout the community."
Commonly used before a person, profession, institution, opinion, or practice.
The third-person singular present and past participle of respect.
"The committee respected the request for additional time."
In this grammatical use, respected normally appears with an object and does not mean “held in high esteem.”
Respect is something a person earns, but being respected is something others give.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does respected come from?
The word comes from respect, which entered English in the late Middle English period from Old French respect, derived from the Latin respectus, a past participle of respicere, meaning “to look back at” or “to regard.” Respected is the past participle of respect and developed an established adjectival use. Its meaning broadened from showing regard for a person or thing to being regarded with esteem or admiration by others.
Related word forms
How respected is actually used
Widely used in formal and informal contexts. It is usually positive and may imply either general admiration or acknowledgement that a person or institution has earned trust and credibility.
Easily confused with respected
A respected person is genuinely admired, whereas a respectable person or thing merely meets conventional standards of proper conduct or acceptability.
Respected describes the regard in which someone is held, while respectful describes conduct that shows deference toward someone.