with regard to

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•gard /rɪˈgɑrd/   v. 

1. to see, look at, or think of with a particular feeling or in a certain way;
   judge;
   consider: [~ + object]
   [not: be + ~-ing] to regard a person with favor.
   [~ + object + as + object]
   I have always regarded you as a friend.
2. to have or show respect or concern for:
   [not: be + ~ -ing* ~ + object] to regard the feelings of others.
3. to look at;
   observe:
   [~ + object] regarded her with a look of contempt.

n. 

4. an aspect, point, or area of concern:
   [uncountable] The new machine is quite satisfactory in this regard.
5. thought;
   attention;
   concern:
   [uncountable] He had no regard for my feelings.
6. respect and liking:
   [uncountable] They hold teachers in high regard.
7. regards, [plural] expressions of respect or affection:
   Give them my regards.

Idioms

8. Idioms as regards, concerning;
   about:
   inquired as regards your family.
9. Idioms with or in regard to, with reference to;
   as regards;
   concerning:
   With regard to the charges, the jury finds you guilty.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•gard  (ri gärd′), v.t. 

1. to look upon or think of with a particular feeling:
   to regard a person with favor.
2. to have or show respect or concern for.
3. to think highly of;
   esteem.
4. to take into account;
   consider.
5. to look at;
   observe:
   She regarded him with amusement.
6. to relate to;
   concern:
   The news does not regard the explosion.
7. to see, look at, or conceive of in a particular way;
   judge (usually fol. by as):
   I regard every assignment as a challenge. They regarded his behavior as childish.

v.i. 

8. to pay attention.
9. to look or gaze.
10. as regards. See as ¹ (def. 25).

n. 

11. reference;
    relation:
    to err with regard to facts.
12. an aspect, point, or particular:
    quite satisfactory in this regard.
13. thought;
    attention;
    concern.
14. look;
    gaze.
15. respect, esteem, or deference:
    a high regard for scholarship.
16. kindly feeling;
    liking.
17. regards, sentiments of esteem or affection:
    Give them my regards.
18. with or in regard to, referring to;
    concerning:
    With regard to the new contract, we have some questions.

• Middle French regarder. See re-, guard
• Middle French, noun, nominal derivative of regarder to look at (compare reward); (verb, verbal) late Middle English
• (noun, nominal) Middle English 1350–1400

Usage

Although sometimes considered poor substitutes for about or concerning, the phrases as regards, in regard to, and with regard to are standard and occur in all varieties of spoken and written English, especially in business writing:
As regards your letter of January 19. …
In regards to, and with regards to are widely rejected as errors.

Synonyms

• 3. respect, honor, revere, value.
• 5. notice, note, see, remark, mark.