Admire: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：look up to (admire)

admire 🔊

/ədˈmaɪər/

to look at someone or something and think they are very good and you like them a lot.

Admire expression young person looking up to older award recipient

look up to 🔊

➕

/lʊk ʌp tuː/

To regard with wonder, pleasure, and approval; to think highly of someone or something.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'mirari' (to wonder), meaning 'to look at with wonder'.

💡 Mnemonic

Split 'ad-mire': 'ad' (to) + 'mire' (like 'mirror') — you mirror the qualities you look up to.

📖 Example

As a child, I used to admire Olympic athletes and dream of becoming one myself. 🔊 As a child, I used to admire Olympic athletes and dream of becoming one myself.

🔗 Collocations

admire someone for something – feel respect and approval for someone because of a specific quality

admire from afar – regard with admiration from a distance

admire the view – enjoy and appreciate a scenic vista

🔄 Synonyms

respect (v.) – to have a high regard for

appreciate (v.) – to recognize the value or significance of

esteem (v.) – to regard highly

🚫 Antonyms

despise (v.) – to feel contempt or strong dislike for

disdain (v.) – to regard with scorn

dislike (v.) – to not like

🌱 Derivatives

admirable (adj.) – deserving admiration

admiration (n.) – a feeling of respect and approval

admirer (n.) – a person who admires

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'admire' entered English in the 15th century from Old French 'admirer', from Latin 'admirari' ('to wonder at'), originally implying wonder and surprise, later shifting to respectful approval.