/ rɪˈgɑːd; NAmE rɪˈgɑːrd/ verb , noun
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
regard sb/sth (with sth) | regard sb/sth as sth to think about sb/sth in a particular way :
Her work is very highly regarded.
Capital punishment was regarded as inhuman and immoral.
He regards himself as a patriot.
She is widely regarded as the current leader's natural successor.
2.
( formal ) to look at sb/sth, especially in a particular way
SYN contemplate :
He regarded us suspiciously.
➡ note at look
•
IDIOMS
- as regards sb/sth
■ noun
1.
[ U ] regard to / for sb/sth ( formal ) attention to or thought and care for sb/sth :
to do sth with scant / little / no regard for sb/sth
to have / pay / show little regard for other people's property
He was driving without regard to speed limits.
Social services should pay proper regard to the needs of inner-city areas.
2.
[ U ] regard (for sb/sth) ( formal ) respect or admiration for sb :
He held her in high regard (= had a good opinion of her) .
I had great regard for his abilities.
3.
regards [ pl. ] used to send good wishes to sb at the end of a letter, or when asking sb to give your good wishes to another person who is not present :
With kind regards, Yours ...
Give your brother my regards when you see him.
•
IDIOMS
- have regard to sth
- in this / that regard
- in / with regard to sb/sth
—more at as conjunction
••
SYNONYMS
regard
consider ♦ see ♦ view ♦ perceive
These words all mean to think about sb/sth in a particular way.
regard
to think of sb/sth in a particular way:
He seemed to regard the whole thing as a joke.
consider
to think of sb/sth in a particular way:
Who do you consider (to be) responsible for the accident?
regard or consider?
These two words have the same meaning, but they are used in different patterns and structures. In this meaning consider must be used with a complement or clause: you can consider sb/sth to be sth or consider sb/sth as sth , although very often the to be or as is left out:
He considers himself an expert.
•
They are considered a high-risk group.
You can also consider that sb/sth is sth and again, the that can be left out. Regard is used in a narrower range of structures. The most frequent structure is regard sb/sth as sth ; the as cannot be left out: I regard him a close friend. You cannot : regard sb/sth to be sth or : regard that sb/sth is sth . However, regard (but not consider in this meaning) can also be used without a noun or adjective complement but with just an object and adverb (sb/sth is highly regarded) or adverbial phrase ( regard sb/sth with suspicion / jealousy / admiration) .
see
to have an opinion of sth:
Try to see things from her point of view.
view
to think of sb/sth in a particular way:
How do you view your position within the company?
NOTE
View has the same meaning as regard and consider but is slightly less frequent and slightly less formal. The main structures are view sb/sth as sb/sth (you cannot leave out the as ) and view sb/sth with sth .
perceive
[often passive] ( rather formal ) to regard sb/sth as sb / sth:
This discovery was perceived as a major breakthrough.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to regard / consider / see / view / perceive sb/sth as sth
to regard / consider / see / view / perceive sb/sth from a particular point of view
to consider sb/sth to be sth
to consider that...
generally / usually regarded / considered / seen / viewed / perceived as sth
to regard / consider / see / view / perceive sb/sth favourably / unfavourably
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French regarder to watch, from re- back (also expressing intensive force) + garder to guard.