Regards | Meaning, Examples & Alternatives

Regards is an expression used to close an email or other types of correspondence. It shows respect to the recipient and wishes them well. Regards should be followed by a comma and your name on a separate line.

Regards can be used as part of a number of phrases to sign off in an email. Other versions of this expression can be used for more formal or less formal situations.

Regards email example
Dear Professor Callahan,

I am reaching out in relation to your request for papers on criminal law. I have several potential submissions that may meet your criteria.

Please let me know at your earliest convenience which specific topics you are interested in.

Regards,

Ella Mori

Kindest regards

Kindest regards (or kind regards) wishes the recipient well while maintaining a professional and semiformal tone. This expression is suitable for emails introducing yourself or emails to people you don’t have an established relationship with. It can also be used in emails to people in a higher position.

Kindest regards email example
To Whom It May Concern:

We are writing to inform you that we will be performing fire drill procedures on the morning of April 14. Personnel will be on site to test the relevant equipment.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Kindest regards,

The Housing Association

Note
“Kind regards/Kindest regards” is sometimes incorrectly written as “Kindly regards.”

Though “kindly” is both an adverb and an adjective, the adjective “kind” (or the superlative “kindest”) should be used in this expression.

Best regards

Best regards is similar to “kindest regards” but has a slightly more familiar tone. It is suitable for both personal emails as well as emails to coworkers you have a relationship with.

Best regards email example
Dear Eliza,

I hope this email finds you well.

I wanted to touch base with you about the position you were interested in at my new company. Would you have time for a quick meeting later this week?

Best regards,

Nala Karim

Warm regards

Warm regards (or warmest regards) is more familiar than kind regards or best regards, but it is still appropriate for professional settings. It can be used in emails to colleagues you know well or for friends and family. It is better avoided in emails to people you are less familiar with.

Warm regards email example
Dear Celia,

How are things going?

I have been thinking of you lately and wondered if you would be free to meet for a coffee sometime next week. It would be lovely to catch up.

Let me know when you would have time to meet.

Warm regards,

Penelope

Frequently asked questions about regards

What is a synonym of regards?

Synonyms and alternatives to regards include:

QuillBot’s rephraser can help you vary your vocabulary to reflect your intended meaning.

Is it best regard or best regards?

Best regards is the correct form of this email sign-off. It is respectful and semiformal, so it is suitable for both personal emails as well as professional emails to people you are familiar with.

“Best regard” is incorrect; the plural “regards” is always used in this expression.

What does kind regards mean?

Kind regards (or kindest regards) is used to end an email or other forms of correspondence. It is semiformal and suitable for professional contexts.

Kind regards is slightly less formal than “sincerely yours” and “yours truly,” but it has a slightly more formal tone than “warm regards.”

You can automatically rewrite your sentences to express your intended meaning using QuillBot’s tools.

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Alexandra Rongione, MA

Alexandra has a master’s degree in literature and cultural studies. She has taught English as a foreign language for a range of levels and ages and has also worked as a literacy tutor.