RESPECTFUL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does respectful mean? 

• RESPECTFUL (adjective)
  The adjective RESPECTFUL has 2 senses:

1. full of or exhibiting respect

2. feeling or manifesting veneration

  Familiarity information: RESPECTFUL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RESPECTFUL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Full of or exhibiting respect

Context example:

a respectful glance

Similar:

deferent; deferential; regardful (showing deference)

honorific (conferring or showing honor or respect)

Also:

courteous (characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners)

humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)

reverent (feeling or showing profound respect or veneration)

Antonym:

disrespectful (exhibiting lack of respect; rude and discourteous)

Derivation:

respectfulness (courteous regard for people's feelings)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Feeling or manifesting veneration

Synonyms:

respectful; reverential; venerating

Similar:

reverent (feeling or showing profound respect or veneration)

Derivation:

respectfulness (courteous regard for people's feelings)

 Context examples 

I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend, WILLIAM COLLINS

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

“Dead, Mr. Peggotty?” I hinted, after a respectful pause.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"Do you play?" she asked, turning to Laurie with a respectful expression.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The rest of the pack was now up and surging upon him, and a throwing of firebrands right and left was necessary to drive them back to a respectful distance.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

“Would that be respectful like, from me to you, squire?” was the answer.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

John Dashwood was really far from being sorry to see his sisters again; it rather gave them satisfaction; and his inquiries after their mother were respectful and attentive.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

In respectful silence we took the places assigned to us close round the tomb, but hidden from the sight of any one approaching.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

After that Maria dropped back into her old obscurity and Martin began to notice the respectful manner in which he was regarded by the small fry of the neighborhood.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Her sentiments towards him were compounded of all that was respectful, grateful, confiding, and tender.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

As though animated by a common impulse, the onlookers drew back to a respectful distance; nor were they again indiscreet enough to interrupt.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)