Regard vs. Regards — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
"Regard" refers to consideration or attention, while "regards" expresses good wishes or greetings.
Difference Between Regard and Regards
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Regard is used to denote attention, consideration, or respect towards someone or something. It often appears in contexts that involve looking at, thinking about, or treating a person or thing with respect or esteem. For example, when you give your full regard to a task, you are dedicating your attention and consideration to it. On the other hand, regards are typically used as a closing in letters or emails to express good wishes. It's a way of sending someone friendly greetings or best wishes, as in "Best regards."
In terms of usage, "regard" can be part of a phrase like "in regard to" or "with regard to," which means concerning or relating to something. This usage is formal and common in written communications, especially in professional or academic contexts. Meanwhile, "regards" can also appear in the plural form to denote respect and admiration for someone, though this is less common than its use as a closing in correspondence.
"Regard" functions in various grammatical roles, including as a noun and within phrases acting as prepositions or conjunctions, depending on the context. It's versatile in formal language. "Regards," while primarily used to convey greetings or best wishes, can reflect the sender's feelings of warmth or respect towards the recipient, enhancing the personal touch of a message.
The difference in connotation between "regard" and "regards" is subtle but important. "Regard" often carries a tone of formality and seriousness, focusing on consideration or esteem. In contrast, "regards" tends to be warm and personal, used in social or less formal professional contexts to convey goodwill.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Consideration or attention towards something or someone.
Good wishes or greetings, often used in closings of letters or emails.
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Usage
In phrases like "in regard to," meaning concerning or relating to.
As a closing in correspondence to express goodwill, e.g., "Best regards."
Grammatical Role
Noun; part of phrases acting as prepositions or conjunctions.
Plural noun used in specific contexts, primarily as a sign-off in correspondence.
Tone
Formal, focusing on attention or consideration.
Warm and personal, conveying good wishes.
Context
Professional, academic, or formal communications.
Social, informal, or less formal professional messages.
Compare with Definitions
Regard
Focus or attention in a specific direction.
Her regard shifted quickly from one exhibit to another.
Regards
Good wishes or greetings.
With best regards, she ended her note.
Regard
Respect or esteem directed towards someone.
His regard for her talent was obvious to all.
Regards
Expressions of affection or respect towards someone.
He sends his warm regards.
Regard
An aspect or point of view.
In this regard, the two theories differ significantly.
Regards
Used in the phrase "as regards," meaning concerning.
As regards the budget, we need to discuss further.
Regard
Consideration or attention given to something.
She held her mentor in high regard for his advice.
Regards
Used as a closing in letters or emails to express good wishes.
Please give my regards to your family.
Regard
Used in phrases indicating concern or relation to something.
We will discuss the project with regard to the new guidelines.
Regards
Plural form of regard when referring to several instances of consideration or respect.
The teacher's regards for his students' efforts were evident.
Regard
Consider or think of in a specified way
She regarded London as her base
He was highly regarded by senators of both parties
Regards
Regards (also known as Regards Magazine or Revue Regards, trans: "Views") is a monthly French Communist news magazine published in Paris, France.
Regard
(of a thing) relate to; concern
If these things regarded only myself, I could stand it with composure
Regards
To think of or consider in a particular way
I regard him as a fool.
Regard
Attention to or concern for something
She rescued him without regard for herself
The court must have regard to the principle of welfare
Regards
To look at attentively; observe closely
"He regarded the delicate lines of her profile" (Thomas Hardy).
Regard
Best wishes (used to express friendliness in greetings)
Give her my regards
Regards
To relate or refer to; concern
This item regards their liability.
Regard
To think of or consider in a particular way
I regard him as a fool.
Regards
(Archaic) To take into account; consider.
Regard
To look at attentively; observe closely
"He regarded the delicate lines of her profile" (Thomas Hardy).
Regards
To give heed; pay attention.
Regard
To relate or refer to; concern
This item regards their liability.
Regards
To look or gaze.
Regard
(Archaic) To take into account; consider.
Regards
Careful thought or attention; heed
She gives little regard to her sister's teasing.
Regard
To give heed; pay attention.
Regards
Respect, affection, or esteem
He has little regard for your work.
Regard
To look or gaze.
Regards
Regards Good wishes expressing such sentiment
Give the family my best regards.
Regard
Careful thought or attention; heed
She gives little regard to her sister's teasing.
Regards
A particular point or aspect; respect
She was lucky in that regard.
Regard
Respect, affection, or esteem
He has little regard for your work.
Regards
A look or gaze
"Such quick regards his sparkling eyes bestow" (Alexander Pope).
Regard
Regards Good wishes expressing such sentiment
Give the family my best regards.
Regards
(Obsolete) Appearance or aspect.
Regard
A particular point or aspect; respect
She was lucky in that regard.
Regards
Plural of regard
Regard
A look or gaze
"Such quick regards his sparkling eyes bestow" (Alexander Pope).
Regards
(pluralonly) Good wishes.
Regard
(Obsolete) Appearance or aspect.
Regards
A greeting to pass on to another person.
Give my regards to your brother when you next see him.
Regard
(countable) A steady look, a gaze.
Regards
(pluralonly) A greeting at the end of a letter or e-mail communication.
Regards, John. Kind regards, Peter.
Regard
One's concern for another; esteem; relation, reference.
Regard
(preceded by “in” or “with”) A particular aspect or detail; respect, sense.
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
Can "regard" and "regards" be used interchangeably?
No, "regard" and "regards" serve different functions and contexts, making them not interchangeable.
Does "send my regards" imply physical greetings?
No, "send my regards" means to convey good wishes or greetings verbally or in writing, not physically.
Is "in regards to" a correct phrase?
"In regards to" is commonly used but considered informal or incorrect by some; "in regard to" or "regarding" are preferred for formal writing.
What is the correct way to use "regards" in an email?
"Regards" can be used as a closing before your name, such as "Best regards," or "Kind regards,".
Can "regards" be used to convey sympathy?
Yes, "regards" can express sympathy, as in "Please accept my deepest regards during this difficult time."
Can "best regards" be used in all types of emails?
"Best regards" is versatile and can be used in many types of emails, from casual to relatively formal, but might be replaced with more specific closings in very formal or specific contexts.
How do "regards" enhance the personal touch of a message?
Using "regards" in communication conveys personal warmth and consideration, making the recipient feel acknowledged and valued.
How can "regard" be used in a sentence?
"She has great regard for her colleague's opinion."
Is it appropriate to use "regards" in a formal letter?
Yes, "Best regards" or "Kind regards" are appropriate and commonly used closings in both formal and informal letters.
How does "regard" convey respect?
When used to describe one's feelings or attitude towards someone, "regard" signifies respect, admiration, or high esteem.
Can "regard" be pluralized when not used in greetings?
Yes, in rare contexts, "regard" can be pluralized when referring to multiple instances of consideration, but this is much less common than its singular form.
Can "regard" be used as a verb?
While "regard" is primarily used as a noun in the contexts discussed, it can also function as a verb meaning to consider or look at something in a specified way.
Why is "in regard to" preferred over "in regards to"?
"In regard to" is grammatically correct and preferred in formal writing, whereas "in regards to" is seen as less formal and sometimes incorrect.
Is there a preference between "with regard to" and "regarding"?
Both are correct and function similarly; the choice between them is often a matter of stylistic preference or formality level.
How does cultural context influence the use of "regards"?
Cultural norms can influence how and when "regards" is used, particularly in how formal or informal the greeting is perceived to be in different cultures.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
