Regard vs. Esteem — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 10, 2024
Regard involves consideration or attention to someone, focusing on their qualities or status, while esteem is a deeper form of respect and admiration based on someone’s abilities or virtues.
Difference Between Regard and Esteem
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Regard often implies a general consideration or respect towards a person or idea, reflecting acknowledgment rather than deep admiration. Whereas, esteem is used to describe a higher level of respect that is often earned through one's actions or achievements.
Regard can be momentary or situational, depending on the context or interaction. On the other hand, esteem is usually a more enduring sentiment, built over time and based on consistent qualities or contributions.
In professional or formal settings, people may regard each other with politeness and respect due to their positions or roles. However, esteem is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional skill, integrity, or leadership.
Regard can also be used in a broader sense, referring to consideration of a concept, issue, or aspect. In contrast, esteem is almost exclusively related to the appreciation of persons or their qualities.
The expression of regard can be polite and customary, often expected in social interactions. Whereas, expressing esteem is a more significant acknowledgment, indicating genuine admiration and respect.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Consideration or attention to someone or something.
High respect or admiration for someone.
Duration
Can be temporary or situation-based.
Typically enduring and based on merit.
Common Usage
Often used in both personal and professional contexts.
More commonly reserved for personal admiration.
Related to
Politeness, social norms.
Achievements, virtues, character.
Expression
Can be formal or obligatory.
Implies genuine admiration and voluntary respect.
Compare with Definitions
Regard
Consideration or respect given to someone or something.
She held her colleagues in high regard due to their dedication.
Esteem
Consideration as valuable or important.
His advice is always esteemed by his peers.
Regard
An aspect or feature of something.
The regards of his plan were meticulously outlined.
Esteem
To appreciate the worth or value of something.
She esteems honesty above all else in her employees.
Regard
The way in which one views or thinks about something.
His regard for the rules made him a strict administrator.
Esteem
Respect and admiration, typically for a person.
The teacher was held in high esteem for her innovative methods.
Regard
Attention to a particular aspect or detail.
The project was undertaken with regard to environmental concerns.
Esteem
To regard someone with respect due to their qualities.
He esteems his mentor for his wisdom and guidance.
Regard
To think of or consider in a specified way.
She regarded the proposal as incomplete.
Esteem
A state of being respected or admired.
He gained esteem after years of community service.
Regard
Consider or think of in a specified way
She regarded London as her base
He was highly regarded by senators of both parties
Esteem
To regard with respect; prize.
Regard
(of a thing) relate to; concern
If these things regarded only myself, I could stand it with composure
Esteem
To regard as; consider
Esteemed it an honor to help them.
Regard
Attention to or concern for something
She rescued him without regard for herself
The court must have regard to the principle of welfare
Esteem
Favorable regard; respect.
Regard
Best wishes (used to express friendliness in greetings)
Give her my regards
Esteem
(Archaic) Judgment; opinion.
Regard
To think of or consider in a particular way
I regard him as a fool.
Esteem
Favourable regard.
We hold her in high esteem.
Regard
To look at attentively; observe closely
"He regarded the delicate lines of her profile" (Thomas Hardy).
Esteem
To set a high value on; to regard with respect or reverence.
Regard
To relate or refer to; concern
This item regards their liability.
Esteem
To regard something as valuable; to prize.
Regard
(Archaic) To take into account; consider.
Esteem
To look upon something in a particular way.
Mary is an esteemed member of the community.
Regard
To give heed; pay attention.
Esteem
(obsolete) To judge; to estimate; to appraise
The Earth, which I esteem unable to reflect the rays of the Sun.
Regard
To look or gaze.
Esteem
To set a value on; to appreciate the worth of; to estimate; to value; to reckon.
Then he forsook God, which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Thou shouldst (gentle reader) esteem his censure and authority to be of the more weighty credence.
Famous men, - whose scientific attainments were esteemed hardly less than supernatural.
Regard
Careful thought or attention; heed
She gives little regard to her sister's teasing.
Esteem
To set a high value on; to prize; to regard with reverence, respect, or friendship.
Will he esteem thy riches?
You talk kindlier: we esteem you for it.
Regard
Respect, affection, or esteem
He has little regard for your work.
Esteem
To form an estimate; to have regard to the value; to consider.
We ourselves esteem not of that obedience, or love, or gift, which is of force.
Regard
Regards Good wishes expressing such sentiment
Give the family my best regards.
Esteem
Estimation; opinion of merit or value; hence, valuation; reckoning; price.
Most dear in the esteemAnd poor in worth!
I will deliver you, in ready coin,The full and dear'st esteem of what you crave.
Regard
A particular point or aspect; respect
She was lucky in that regard.
Esteem
High estimation or value; great regard; favorable opinion, founded on supposed worth.
Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem.
Regard
A look or gaze
"Such quick regards his sparkling eyes bestow" (Alexander Pope).
Esteem
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Regard
(Obsolete) Appearance or aspect.
Esteem
A feeling of delighted approval and liking
Regard
(countable) A steady look, a gaze.
Esteem
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Regard
One's concern for another; esteem; relation, reference.
Esteem
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Regard
(preceded by “in” or “with”) A particular aspect or detail; respect, sense.
Esteem
Look on as or consider;
She looked on this affair as a joke
He thinks of himself as a brilliant musician
He is reputed to be intelligent
Regard
(uncountable) The worth or estimation in which something or someone is held.
He is held in great regard in Whitehall.
Regard
Slang for retard, a very bad stock trader.
Regard
To look at; to observe.
She regarded us warily.
Regard
(transitive) To consider, look upon (something) in a given way etc.
I always regarded tabloid journalism as a social evil.
He regards honesty as a duty.
I regard such a way of life with distate.
Regard
To take notice of, pay attention to.
Regard
(transitive) To face toward.
Regard
(transitive) To have to do with, to concern.
Regard
To set store by (something), to hold (someone) in esteem; to consider to have value, to respect.
Regard
To keep in view; to behold; to look at; to view; to gaze upon.
Your niece regards me with an eye of favor.
Regard
Hence, to look or front toward; to face.
It is peninsula which regardeth the mainland.
That exceedingly beatiful seat, on the ass ent of a hill, flanked with wood and regarding the river.
Regard
To look closely at; to observe attentively; to pay attention to; to notice or remark particularly.
If much you note him,You offened him; . . . feed, and regard him not.
Regard
To look upon, as in a certain relation; to hold as an popinion; to consider; as, to regard abstinence from wine as a duty; to regard another as a friend or enemy.
Regard
To consider and treat; to have a certain feeling toward; as, to regard one with favor or dislike.
His associates seem to have regarded him with kindness.
Regard
To pay respect to; to treat as something of peculiar value, sanctity, or the like; to care for; to esteem.
He that regardeth thae day, regardeth it into the LOrd.
Here's Beaufort, that regards nor God nor king.
Regard
To take into consideration; to take account of, as a fact or condition.
Regard
To have relation to, as bearing upon; to respect; to relate to; to touch; as, an argument does not regard the question; - often used impersonally; as, I agree with you as regards this or that.
Regard
To look attentively; to consider; to notice.
Regard
A look; aspect directed to another; view; gaze.
But her, with stern regard, he thus repelled.
Regard
Attention of the mind with a feeling of interest; observation; heed; notice.
Full many a ladyI have eyed with best regard.
Regard
That view of the mind which springs from perception of value, estimable qualities, or anything that excites admiration; respect; esteem; reverence; affection; as, to have a high regard for a person; - often in the plural.
He has rendered himself worthy of their most favorable regards.
Save the long-sought regards of woman, nothing is sweeter than those marks of childish preference.
Regard
State of being regarded, whether favorably or otherwise; estimation; repute; note; account.
A man of meanest regard amongst them, neither having wealth or power.
Regard
Consideration; thought; reflection; heed.
Sad pause and deep regard become the sage.
Regard
Matter for consideration; account; condition.
Regard
Respect; relation; reference.
Persuade them to pursue and persevere in virtue, with regard to themselves; in justice and goodness with regard to their neighbors; and piefy toward God.
Change was thought necessary in regard of the injury the church did receive by a number of things then in use.
In regard of its security, it had a great advantage over the bandboxes.
Regard
Object of sight; scene; view; aspect.
Throw out our eyes for brave Othello,Even till we make the main and the aërial blueAn indistinct regard.
Regard
Supervision; inspection.
Regard
(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;
It differs in that respect
Regard
Paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people);
His attentiveness to her wishes
He spends without heed to the consequences
Regard
(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare;
Give him my kind regards
My best wishes
Regard
A long fixed look;
He fixed his paternal gaze on me
Regard
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Regard
A feeling of friendship and esteem;
She mistook his manly regard for love
He inspires respect
Regard
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Regard
Deem to be;
She views this quite differently from me
I consider her to be shallow
I don't see the situation quite as negatively as you do
Regard
Look at attentively
Regard
Connect closely and often incriminatingly;
This new ruling affects your business
Common Curiosities
Is esteem always related to personal qualities?
Primarily, esteem is related to personal qualities or achievements, but it can also be attributed to professional skills.
Can regard turn into esteem?
Yes, regard can evolve into esteem as deeper admiration and respect are developed over time.
Is esteem more valuable than regard?
Esteem is often considered more valuable as it is based on genuine admiration for someone's qualities or achievements.
Can one have regard without esteem?
Yes, one can have regard for someone without necessarily esteeming them, especially in formal or professional contexts.
How do you express esteem for someone?
Esteem can be expressed through compliments, public acknowledgments, or actions that show profound respect.
Does regard need to be earned?
Regard, especially in professional settings, is often given as a courtesy but can be enhanced through conduct.
How does cultural context affect regard and esteem?
Cultural norms and values can greatly influence the expressions and interpretations of regard and esteem.
What is the primary difference between regard and esteem?
Regard is general respect or consideration, while esteem is a deeper form of admiration and respect.
What does it mean to hold someone in high regard?
It means to respect and consider someone highly, typically in a professional or social context.
Why is esteem important in relationships?
Esteem builds a foundation of mutual respect and admiration, which is crucial for healthy and sustainable relationships.
What role does esteem play in educational settings?
In education, esteem helps foster an environment of respect and admiration, enhancing motivation and engagement.
Can regard be negative?
Typically, regard is neutral or positive, but one can regard something with concern or wariness.
How can a leader gain the esteem of their team?
A leader can gain esteem by demonstrating integrity, capability, and by respecting and valuing the contributions of the team.
Is it possible to esteem someone from a distance?
Yes, one can esteem someone from a distance, often through admiration of their public persona or achievements.
What is the difference between self-esteem and self-regard?
Self-esteem is one's overall emotional evaluation of their own worth, while self-regard is more about how one views themselves in specific aspects.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
