Main Best Regards Takeaways:
- Ending a message with best regards shows you respect the recipient.
- It’s a way to say farewell and conveys warm wishes.
- You can use best regards for semiformal or informal communication like emails.
- This phrase is a valediction, or closing, to correspondence. It’s similar to “cordially” but is less formal.
- Some alternatives are kind regards, warm regards, and regards.
Make a positive impression on clients and colleagues by ending written correspondence with best regards. Check out examples of how to best use this popular letter closing remark and find alternatives to help mix it up.
What Does it Mean to say Best Regards?
Best regards is a popular closing for written correspondence, including emails. When someone drafts a message with this phrase, it means that they’re sending warm wishes your way. It’s also another way of saying “cordially” or “I wish you well” but is less formal. Best regards is a semiformal valediction, or a word or phrase that appears before a signature. This phrase is more informal than sincerely but still exudes respect. You can use this versatile closing in an email or letter. Use a capital ‘B’ and ‘R‘ when signing off with this phrase. Then, add a comma after the phrase.
Best regards definition:(idiom)Warm wishes, cordially, I wish you well.
As you can see, Julie capitalized the ‘B’ and the ‘R’ in this valediction. She also placed a comma at the end of it.
Avoid using an exclamation mark, no matter how excited you feel about your message. Exclamation points are best suited for casual valedictions.
Is Best Regards Formal or Informal?
Best regards is a versatile closing that works well for semiformal or informal communication. You can use this phrase for people you know well or people you don’t, making it perfect for business emails. When using best regards for semiformal emails, choose acquaintances you respect. This friendly phrase conveys warm wishes without going overboard. Conversely, do not use best regards for more formal communication. Instead, other options like “Sincerely,” and “With Gratitude,” are more appropriate.
Can you say Best Regards in an Email?
Best regards is appropriate for emails, but you can also use it for other types of semiformal written correspondence like handwritten or typed letters. What’s more, you can also use this closing in company memos. Similarly, it’s also appropriate for notices on school or company bulletin boards. Finally, it’s also appropriate for text messages and social media messages.
Use Best Regards in:
- Emails
- Handwritten or typed letters
- Company memos
- Text messages
- Social media messages
- Notices on bulletin boards
Let’s pretend two neighbors are chatting via email:
Notice the casual tone of the message? The message is informal, but Jim knows and respects Jeff. That’s why he’s giving him a quick heads up about the snacks. He didn’t use a salutation or last name because Jeff knows Jim well.
But what if Jim is having problems with Jeff’s kids?
The email might read like this instead:
Jim is annoyed that Jeff’s son put a dandelion in his mailbox, so he drafted this complaint. He finished his email with “Sincerely,” a formal closing. He also used his first and last name, which is typical in formal communications.
What can I say Instead of Best Regards?
Consider the subject matter of your message, plus your relationship with the recipient. You could use “Warm Regards” or “Kind Regards.” Or, you may not need to include one at all. Formal alternatives to Best Regards include “Sincerely,” “Sincerely Yours,” “Yours Truly,” “Faithfully Yours,” “Respectfully Yours,” “With Sincere Appreciation,” and “With Gratitude.” On the other hand, some informal alternatives include “Best,” “Thanks,” “See you soon,” “Take care,” “Love,” “I miss you,” and “Hugs.” Alternatively, you can create a custom closing.
1. Formal Alternatives to Best Regards
Use these formal valedictions for cover letters, legal correspondence, and business letters:
- Sincerely
- Sincerely Yours
- Yours Truly
- Faithfully Yours
- Respectfully Yours
- With Sincere Appreciation
- With Gratitude
2. Informal Alternatives to Best Regards
- Best
- Thanks
- See you soon
- To infinity and beyond
- Onward and upward
- Cheers
- Love
- Your friendly [job title]
- Congratulations
- Take care
- Go get ’em, tiger
- Keep fighting the good fight
- You’ve got this
- Keep your head high
- Get well soon
- I miss you
3. You may not Need a Closing at all
A closing isn’t always necessary.
If you’re close with the recipient, simply signing your name might be enough. You can also add a one-line paragraph above your signature, such as“Have a great day.”
Best Regards, Kind Regards, and Warm Regards: Are They All the Same?
Many message writers use best regards, kind regards, and warm regards interchangeably. But is that socially acceptable?
Possibly. Best regards means you’re sharing warm wishes, which isn’t much different from sending warm regards. The same can be said for expressing kind regards.
However, simply closing an email with regards may mean something different. Adding regards above your signature is generally less formal than best regards and similar valedictions.
Valedictions don’t have to be unique or engaging. When you need a classic yet respectful closing, go with best regards.
What’s are the Best Ways to Close a Letter? Test Your Skills!
Best Regards Question #1
A. The first letters of both words must be capitalized.
B. You must add a comma at the end of the valediction.
C. It should only be used in formal communication.
D. It’s another way of saying “cordially.”
Correct!
Wrong!
The answer is C. Best Regards is ideal for informal and semiformal communication.
Best Regards Question #2
Please select 2 correct answers
A. Warm Wishes
B. Sincerely
C. Yours Truly
D. Cordially
Correct!
Wrong!
The answers are A and D. Sincerely and Yours Truly are better suited for formal communication.
Best Regards Question #3
Correct!
Wrong!
The answer is TRUE. Best Regards is perfect for semi-formal writing such as a company memo.
Best Regards Question #4
Correct!
Wrong!
The answer is FALSE. Best Regards is not ideal for formal writing such as legal correspondence.
Read More: To Whom It May Concern: How And When To Use This Salutation Properly
Thesaurus
Synonyms of regards
-
verb
-
as in notices
-
as in follows
-
as in considers
-
as in respects
-
as in anticipates
-
noun
-
as in congratulations
- as in notices
- as in follows
- as in considers
- as in respects
- as in anticipates
- as in congratulations
-
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regards
1 of 2
verb
Definition of regards
present tense third-person singular of regard
1
as in notices
to make note of (something) through the use of one’s eyes
she regarded him with astonishment when he announced he had gotten engaged
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
-
notices
-
spots
-
eyes
-
sees
-
remarks
-
perceives
-
views
-
notes
-
sights
-
distinguishes
-
discerns
-
spies
-
observes
-
beholds
-
watches
-
witnesses
-
considers
-
catches
-
descries
-
espies
-
gets a load of
-
identifies
-
picks out
-
sets eyes on
-
looks (at)
-
lays eyes on
-
heeds
-
marks
-
studies
-
surveys
-
makes out
-
examines
-
scrutinizes
-
scans
-
inspects
-
glimpses
-
minds
-
attends (to)
-
picks up
-
peers (at)
-
glances (at)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
-
ignores
-
disregards
-
neglects
-
misses
-
overlooks
-
passes over
-
overpasses
-
ignores
-
disregards
-
neglects
-
misses
-
overlooks
-
passes over
-
overpasses
See More
2
as in follows
to take notice of and be guided by
as a traveler, you should regard the laws and customs of whatever country you are visiting
Synonyms & Similar Words
-
follows
-
notes
-
respects
-
considers
-
heeds
-
obeys
-
observes
-
contemplates
-
ponders
-
watches
-
minds
-
listens (to)
-
mulls
-
hears
-
notices
-
keeps
-
weighs
-
marks
-
conforms (to)
-
sees
-
harks (to)
-
hearkens (to)
-
attends (to)
-
complies (with)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
-
ignores
-
disregards
-
tunes out
-
neglects
-
dismisses
-
scorns
-
discounts
-
shrugs off
-
brushes (aside or off)
-
poohs
-
flouts
-
defies
-
passes over
-
glosses (over)
-
pooh—poohs
-
snubs
-
glozes (over)
-
slights
See More
-
ignores
-
disregards
-
tunes out
-
neglects
-
dismisses
-
scorns
-
discounts
-
shrugs off
-
brushes (aside or off)
-
poohs
-
flouts
-
defies
-
passes over
-
glosses (over)
-
pooh—poohs
-
snubs
-
glozes (over)
-
slights
See More
3
as in considers
to think of in a particular way
I wouldn’t regard that offhand comment as a serious threat to your personal safety
Synonyms & Similar Words
-
considers
-
views
-
counts
-
calls
-
accounts
-
rates
-
thinks
-
believes
-
sets down
-
feels
-
deems
-
esteems
-
takes for
-
holds
-
reckons
-
looks (on or upon)
-
senses
-
imagines
-
fancies
-
conceives
4
as in respects
to think very highly or favorably of
an astronomer who is highly regarded by his peers
Synonyms & Similar Words
-
respects
-
admires
-
appreciates
-
considers
-
praises
-
commends
-
loves
-
likes
-
esteems
-
values
-
enjoys
-
approves
-
compliments
-
loves
-
applauds
-
reverences
-
reveres
-
acclaims
-
venerates
-
sets store on
-
favors
-
credits
-
relishes
-
adores
-
savors
-
fancies
-
worships
-
idolizes
-
savours
-
accredits
-
sets store by
-
cherishes
-
adulates
-
grooves (on)
-
treasures
-
hallows
-
revels (in)
-
prizes
-
deifies
-
canonizes
-
dotes (on)
-
digs
-
delights (in)
-
drinks (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
-
hates
-
detests
-
despises
-
abhors
-
loathes
-
disregards
-
dismisses
-
disapproves
-
dislikes
-
disdains
-
scorns
-
deplores
-
execrates
-
discounts
-
abominates
-
decries
-
condemns
-
disfavors
-
frowns (on or upon)
-
vilifies
-
discountenances
-
kisses off
See More
-
hates
-
detests
-
despises
-
abhors
-
loathes
-
disregards
-
dismisses
-
disapproves
-
dislikes
-
disdains
-
scorns
-
deplores
-
execrates
-
discounts
-
abominates
-
decries
-
condemns
-
disfavors
-
frowns (on or upon)
-
vilifies
-
discountenances
-
kisses off
See More
5
as in anticipates
to give consideration to (as unexpected circumstances or contingencies)
the judges regard the amount of effort and energy you put into the project in evaluating it
Synonyms & Similar Words
-
considers
-
anticipates
-
reckons with
-
contemplates
-
factors (in or into)
-
adjusts
-
figures on
-
expects
-
conditions
-
adapts
-
takes into account
-
faces
-
plans
-
foresees
-
takes account of
-
presupposes
-
envisages
-
allows (for)
-
presumes
-
accommodates
-
provides (for)
-
assumes
-
calculates
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
-
factors (out)
-
disregards
-
discounts
-
factors (out)
-
disregards
-
discounts
regards
2 of 2
noun
plural of regard
as in congratulations
best wishes
give your parents my regards
Synonyms & Similar Words
-
respects
-
congratulations
-
commendations
-
greetings
-
compliment
-
praise
-
felicitations
-
approval
-
acknowledgment
-
blessing
-
commendation
-
acknowledgement
-
endorsement
-
benediction
-
citation
-
indorsement
-
flattery
-
adulation
-
well—wishing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
-
insult
-
jibe
-
gibe
-
taunt
-
dig
-
put—down
-
insult
-
jibe
-
gibe
-
taunt
-
dig
-
put—down
Phrases Containing regards
- as regards
- as regards
Thesaurus Entries Near regards
regardless of
regards
regather
See More Nearby Entries
Cite this Entry
Style
“Regards.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regards. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on regards
Nglish: Translation of regards for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of regards for Arabic Speakers
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You write a masterful email. The subject line is uber-clickable. Your greeting is friendly without being overly familiar. And then you get to your sign-off. «Thanks» is too generic, «Sincerely» is too formal, and «Cheers» seems tired.
«Best regards» and «kind regards» are two of your best options for business email signatures, but it can be difficult to know how to use each correctly.
To avoid bad first impressions or email faux pas, I’ve created a quick-and-easy guide for when and how to use each one, so your emails are always appropriate and grammatically correct.
«Best regards» is the less formal version of the two. It’s a safe, friendly, and respectful sign-off to clients you’re familiar with but not yet well-acquainted.
It’s a neutral sentiment that communicates respect and appreciation without claiming to have a relationship beyond what you’ve built with your prospect, client, or colleague. Here’s a list of scenarios in which you’d use «Best regards»:
- When emailing existing clients
- When speaking with vendors you’ve worked with for 3+ months
- When communicating with prospects you’ve engaged in regular, two-sided conversation with
- When reaching out to colleagues within your organization
- Any time the other party sets a more casual tone over email
And here’s an example of how to use «Best regards» in an email:
Hello Jay,
Here’s that case study we were discussing yesterday. It should answer your question about how BG Solutions can streamline your accounting process by integrating with your existing software.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Dee
If you’re looking for a formal or semi-formal alternative to «Best regards«, use one of the sign-offs above instead.
«Best Regards» Alternatives
- Respectfully
- Best
- All the best
- Thank you
- Thanks again
- Thanks in advance
- Thank you for your time
- Cheers
- Talk soon
- Looking forward to our next conversation
- Looking forward to hearing from you
- Have a wonderful [day, weekend]
- Happy weekend
- Reach out with questions
- Let me know if you need anything
«Kind Regards»
«Kind regards» is a more formal variation of «Best regards.» You might reserve it for introductory, outreach, or exploratory emails. It still communicates respect but intuits less of an established relationship. In business correspondence, «Kind regards» is a professional and appropriate way to end an email.
Here are a few scenarios in which you would use «Kind regards»:
- When conducting warm outreach
- When in the early stages of communicating with prospects (especially if they haven’t responded to your emails)
- When emailing an executive at any company, any time
- When introducing yourself to a mutual acquaintance of a friend or colleague
- When you’re uncertain which sign-off to choose
And here is an example of how to use «Kind regards» in an email:
Hello Jay,
I noticed you downloaded our most recent case study about how BG Solutions helped streamline the accounting operations of enterprise company Stillwater Inc. If you have any questions about that study, I’d be happy to answer them.
Kind regards,
Dee
When you’ve built rapport and a closer working relationship with a business associate, it might be appropriate to drop the «Kind «and «Best «entirely and just send «Regards,» though some experts feel this is colder rather than more familiar. Below is an example of «Regards» in an email:
Hello Jay,
It was great to speak with you on the phone earlier. I sent you a calendar invite for the demo call we agreed upon for Thursday, September 20th at 3:00 PM EST. You’ll also find an agenda for the call attached below.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Regards,
Dee
Regardless, it is the most informal version of the sign-off and denotes the closest kind of working relationship. Reserve this for clients or colleagues with whom you work regularly and whose email tone and style you understand, and vice versa.
«Kind Regards» Alternatives
- Sincerely
- Cordially
- Many thanks
- Take care
- Sending you the best
- Respectfully
- Thank you for reading
- With gratitude
- With appreciation
«Kind Regards» vs. «Warm Regards»
«Kind regards» is a more formal sign-off than «Best regards,» — and «Warm regards» takes the familiarity a step forward.
«Warm regards» is generally reserved for close friends and family and should not be used in professional correspondence.
When considering whether to use «Warm regards» in an email, choose one of the «Kind regards» alternatives listed above to be safe and appropriate at all times.
When in Doubt, Match the Customer’s Tone
Still not sure which one to use? As a rule of thumb, match the formality in your business associate’s tone. If they’ve signed their last email «Best wishes,» reply with the same signature or substitute «Best regards.» If they’ve used a more formal signature like, «Sincerely,» err toward «Kind regards,» as it matches the tone and sentiment your associate has used.
To learn more about sales communication check out these alternatives to «Looking forward to hearing from you» next.
- commendations
- compliments
- deference
- devoirs
- greeting
- love
- remembrances
- respects
- salutation
- salutations
- good wishes
- love and kisses
Roget’s 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
On this page you’ll find 14 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to regards, such as: commendations, compliments, deference, devoirs, greeting, and love.
TRY USING regards
See how your sentence looks with different synonyms.
How to use regards in a sentence
SYNONYM OF THE DAY
OCTOBER 26, 1985
WORDS RELATED TO REGARDS
- acknowledgment
- address
- aloha
- best wishes
- card
- ciao
- compellation
- compliments
- good wishes
- hail
- hello
- heralding
- hi
- high-five
- highball
- how-do-you-do
- howdy
- letter
- nod
- note
- notice
- ovation
- reception
- regards
- respects
- rumble
- salaam
- salutation
- salute
- speaking to
- testimonial
- ushering in
- what’s happening
- best wishes
- compliments
- courtesies
- deference
- devoirs
- greetings
- kind wishes
- regard
- salaams
- salutations
Roget’s 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
Give my regards meaning
To ‘give [someone] your regards’ or ‘send [someone] your regards’ means to tell that person you say hello, in a formal way.
It shows you are passing on a positive attitude towards them, that you remembered them or that you’re sending them greetings.
When you give your regards, you always do this via another (third) person who is not there, so you tell them to give someone else your regards.
- John: How is Anne? Please give her my regards.
- Sally: Anne’s fine, I will.
[Later that day]
- Sally: Hi Anne, I saw John earlier and he told me to give you his regards.
- Anne: Oh! How is he? That’s nice that he thought of me.
- Please tell your mother that I send my regards.
- Give my regards to your teacher when you see her.
- The boss sends his regards, along with this new timetable.
Regards in Emails
People often sign-off emails with ‘regards’ or ‘best regards’ and then their name. This is a perfectly acceptable, formal way of signing off an email. Other examples are:
- Yours sincerely,
- Sincerely,
- Warm regards,
‘Give My Regards’ synonyms
(Formal)
- Send [someone] my best.
- Send [someone] my best regards.
- Send [someone] my greetings.
- Give [someone] my best wishes.
- Pass on my greetings to [someone].
- My best to [someone].
- All the best to [someone].
- Send [someone] my compliments.
Less formal ways of saying ‘give my regards’
- Tell [someone] I say hello.
- Say hi to [someone] from me.
More intimate ways of saying ‘give my regards’
- Send [someone] my love.
Be careful with:
- ‘tell [someone] I send kisses’
- give her a kiss from me
Unless you’re talking about family, ‘giving kisses’ isn’t used very much in English-speaking cultures (especially the UK), as the practice of greeting someone with two kisses isn’t widely used.
In lots of Latin countries, ‘giving kisses’ means to ‘greet’ or ‘say hello’, but in English-speaking cultures ‘giving a kiss’ is much more intimate and would only be used if the person speaking and the person passing on the greeting would both physically kiss the third person (which is unlikely).
Instead (and especially if you’re not sure) use:
- ‘tell [someone] I say hello’
Sending greetings for specific reasons
Sending a sympathetic greeting to a third person
You may want to pass on a greeting to a third person that is sad, or going through a difficult situation, to let them know you’re thinking of them. If you want to pass on your sympathy, these options would be more appropriate:
Formal
- Give [someone] my condolences
- Please send [someone] my commiserations
Informal
- Tell [someone] I’m sorry
- Tell [someone] that I was sorry to hear that…
- Tell [someone] I’m thinking of them
- Tell [someone] I’m sending positive thoughts.
- Tell [someone] to be strong!
Intimate
- Send [someone] a hug from me
Sending a congratulatory greeting to a third person
If you want to tell a third person that you’re happy for them, or for their success, you could say:
Formal
- Please tell [someone] I’m sending many happy returns
Informal
- Tell [someone] I’m pleased for them.
- Tell [someone] I’m really happy for them.
- Tell [someone] I was really pleased to hear about…
- Congratulate [someone] for me!
- Give [someone] my congratulations!
- Give [someone] a pat on the back from me!
Sending a third person luck
If you want to tell a third person you’re wishing them luck, use:
- Wish [someone] luck from me.
- Wish [someone] the best of luck from me.
- Tell [someone] I’ve got my fingers crossed for them.
- Tell [someone] I’m hoping for the best!
- Best of luck to [someone].
- [To an actor/actress] Tell [someone] to break a leg!
- Tell [someone] they’ll blow them away.
- Tell [someone] I believe in them!
- Tell [someone] that if anyone can do it, they can.
- Tell [someone] they’ll be great!
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