How to pronounce respectful
Say it like rih-SPEKT-ful. Respectful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEKT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce respectful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- SPEKT
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Respectful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SPEKTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of respectful
American and British speakers say respectful in essentially the same way: /rɪˈspɛktfəl/ in the US and /rɪˈspɛktfəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-SPEKT-ful.
What does respectful mean?
- full of or exhibiting respect“respectful behavior”“a respectful glance”
- feeling or manifesting veneration
Where does respectful come from?
From respect + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with respectful
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of respectful.
Questions about saying respectful
How do you pronounce respectful?
Say rih-SPEKT-ful. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈspɛktfəl/. In British English it is /rɪˈspɛktfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in respectful?
Respectful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEKT). Broken into parts: rih · SPEKT · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say respectful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈspɛktfəl/ and the British form is /rɪˈspɛktfəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.