What is the Latin word for respectful?

The usual Latin words for “respectful” are observō, revereor, venerābundus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“respectful” in Latin

observōto observe, watch, pay attention to; to guard, keep watch over; to heed, regard, respect revereorto stand in awe (of), regard, respect, honor, reverence, revere; to stand in fear (of); to be afraid, fear venerābundusvenerating, revering, reverential

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

respectful

observans (toward anybody; alicujus): reverens: venerabundus. [SYN. in RESPECT.] to be respectful toward anybody; Vid: “to show RESPECT.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for respectful?: The usual Latin words for “respectful” are observō, revereor, venerābundus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.