Reading Theme:
Esteem: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：hold in high regard (esteem)
esteem
/ɪˈstiːm/
n./vt.
To feel a lot of respect and admiration for someone.
hold in high regard
➕
/hoʊld ɪn haɪ rɪˈɡɑːrd/
n./vt.
To feel deep respect and admiration for someone.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'aestimare' meaning to value or estimate.
💡 Mnemonic
Esteem sounds like 'e-steam' – steam rises high, so esteem means high respect.
📖 Example
After decades of voluntary work in the community, the elderly woman is held in the highest esteem by all her neighbors.
The elderly woman is deeply respected by all her neighbors after many years of community service.
🔗 Collocations
hold in esteem – to respect someone highly
in high esteem – greatly respected
self-esteem – confidence in one's own worth
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
esteemed (adj.) – highly respected
self-esteem (n.) – one's sense of self-worth
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'aestimare' (to value), via Old French 'estimer'. In modern English, it's central in psychology for concepts like self-esteem, denoting personal worth and respect.
Meaning 2：value greatly (esteem)
esteem
/ɪˈstiːm/
n./vt.
To have a lot of respect and admiration for someone, and therefore to value them highly.
value greatly
➕
/ˈvæljuː ˈɡreɪtli/
n./vt.
To have great respect and admiration for someone, leading to high valuation.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My grandmother esteems the old family photo album above all her possessions because it holds memories of her youth.
My grandmother values the old family photo album more than anything else due to its nostalgic memories.
🔗 Collocations
esteem highly – to value someone greatly
hold in esteem – to regard with high respect
personal esteem – individual sense of worth
🔄 Synonyms
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