ris-PEK-tid
/ɹɪˈspɛktɪd/
respected is pronounced ris-PEK-tid (/ɹɪˈspɛktɪd/). Respected is an adjective meaning held in high regard or esteem by others. It also can describe someone who is regarded with deference due to character, achievements, or position. The term conveys social acceptance and authority, often implying recognized integrity or competence. In usage, it can describe people, institutions, or standards that command admiration.
Respected is an adjective meaning held in high regard or esteem by others. It also can describe someone who is regarded with deference due to character, achievements, or position. The term conveys social acceptance and authority, often implying recognized integrity or competence. In usage, it can describe people, institutions, or standards that command admiration.
"She is a respected scientist in the field of virology."
"The university is respected for its rigorous research programs."
"He came from a respected family with a long tradition of public service."
Respected is pronounced /rɪˈspɛk.tɪd/ in US and UK. The stress is on the second syllable: re-SPECT-ed. The first syllable is a short, reduced /rɪ/, the middle contains /spɛk/ with a hard ‘k’ release, and the final suffix is /-tɪd/ rather than a full percussive 'ed'. Think: ri- (quick) + SPECK-tid but with a T following the /k/ in the middle. Audio references can be found on major dictionaries or pronunciation platforms for verification.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (say re-SPECT-ed with stress on first syllable) or mispronouncing the middle vowel as /eɪ/ or /iː/ instead of /ɛ/ as in ‘pet.’ Another frequent slip is pronouncing the final -ed as /iː/ or /i/ instead of the reduced /-ɪd/; also, some speakers insert an extra vowel between /p/ and /t/ (res-pek-ted). Correct by enforcing the /rɪˈspɛk.tɪd/ pattern: quick, light onset /r/; central/ front vowel /ɪ/ in the first syllable; clear /spɛk/ with a crisp /k/; and a short, reduced end /-tɪd/.
In US/UK, the middle syllable carries /spɛk/ with /ɛ/ as in ‘pet’; non-rhotic accents may drop r, but here the r occurs in the first syllable /rɪ/ and is often lightly pronounced near the syllable boundary. Australian pronunciation tends to be similar to UK/US but may feature a slightly broader vowel in /ɪ/ and a tendency toward a lighter /t/ release. Overall, the rhotic influence is minimal here; the emphasis remains on the second syllable, /ˈspɛk/.
The difficulty centers on the stress placement and the /sp/ cluster followed by a crisp /k/ before the final /tɪd/. Non-native speakers often misplace the stress on the first syllable or merge /spɛk/ with a simpler /spɛ/ sequence. Additionally, the final /tɪd/ ending can be pronounced as a full /t/ plus /ɪd/ or reduced to /tɪd/ in casual speech; maintaining a clear, quick /tɪd/ without adding an extra vowel improves naturalness.
A unique aspect is the strong /sp/ cluster after the initial /rɪ/ syllable and the following /k/ closure before the final /tɪd/. You’ll want to keep the /sp/ sequence tight and avoid inserting vowel between /p/ and /t/. The two heavy consonants /sp/ and /k/ require precise contact and a slight timing gap before the final /tɪd/.
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Respected comes from the verb respect, which traces to the Old French respecter, from Latin respectus, meaning ‘a looking back at, regard, esteem.’ The noun respect itself derives from Latin respectus ‘a regard, consideration,’ from respicere ‘to look back at, regard, regard with attention’ (re- ‘back’ + spes ‘look’). In English, respect first appeared in the late Middle Ages in the sense of ‘a regard or esteem’ and evolved into an attribute meaning ‘held in high esteem’ by the 16th–17th centuries. The -ed suffix marks past participle usage and adjectives; with respect to a person or thing, ‘respected’ indicates the object of esteem has been regarded with deference or admiration by others. Over time, usage broadened to describe not only individuals but also institutions, standards, or practices that are widely regarded as legitimate or admirable. The word often connotes authority, credibility, and ethical standing, rather than mere popularity. First known uses align with social evaluation frameworks in scholarly and religious contexts, where a person being respected signified alignment with communal values and demonstrated competency. In modern English, respected is a common descriptor in professional and social discourse, reflecting status earned through actions, reputation, and trustworthiness.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "respected" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "respected"
-ted sounds
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