admire

[ ad-mahyuhr ]

verb (used with object)

, ad·mired, ad·mir·ing.

1. to regard with wonder, pleasure, or approval.

   Synonyms: venerate, revere, esteem

   Antonyms: despise

2. to regard with wonder or surprise (usually used ironically or sarcastically):

   I admire your audacity.

verb (used without object)

, ad·mired, ad·mir·ing.

1. to feel or express admiration.
2. Dialect. to take pleasure; like or desire:

   I would admire to go.

admire

/ ədˈmaɪə /

verb

1. to regard with esteem, respect, approval, or pleased surprise
2. archaic.
   to wonder at

Derived Forms

• adˈmiring, adjective
• adˈmiringly, adverb
• adˈmirer, noun

Other Words From

• ad·mir·er noun
• pre·ad·mire verb (used with object) preadmired preadmiring
• qua·si-ad·mire verb quasiadmired quasiadmiring
• un·ad·mired adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of admire¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin admīrārī, equivalent to ad- ad- + mīrārī (in Medieval Latin mīrāre ) “to wonder at, admire”

Word History and Origins

Origin of admire¹

C16: from Latin admīrāri to wonder at, from ad- to, at + mīrāri to wonder, from mīrus wonderful

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be admiring of, Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to admire:

   He's admiring of his brother's farm.

Example Sentences

“I’ve heard students sit here and say how they admire him as a teacher,” said Prado.

From Los Angeles Times

This time of year, he said, there are several nighttime excursions to admire holiday decorations.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, on Nov. 4, 2020, the fact that he was president of the United States made it very difficult, even for those who did not vote for or admire him, to take in what we were seeing and hearing: That Trump was attempting to call the election, by himself and for himself, before millions of ballots had been counted.

From Los Angeles Times

"I’d look and admire but I never thought I could do it myself."

From BBC

I admire that, and I find it amazing the way people view Spurs at the moment.

From BBC

Related Words

• adore
• applaud
• appreciate
• cherish
• commend
• credit
• extol
• hail
• honor
• idolize
• laud
• marvel at
• praise
• prize
• respect
• revere
• treasure
• worship