DictionaryAI

admire

verb
ad-MYR/ədˈmaɪɹ/UKad-MY-uh/ədˈmaɪə/

Formsadmires, admiring, admired

5 meanings of admire

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To look at someone or something with great pleasure and respect.

    Like watching a beautiful sunset and feeling happy and full of respect.

    Visitors often admire the bright paintings in the museum.

    She admired her grandmother for staying calm under pressure.

    Similarappreciate, respect, applaud, praise

    Oppositedespise, scorn, disdain

  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To look at something with wonder and joy.

    Like staring at something amazing that you can't look away from.

    The children stopped to admire the colorful fireworks.

    We admired the snowy mountains from the train window.

    Similarmarvel, appreciate, enjoy

    Note
  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To value someone or something very highly.

    Colleagues admire her honesty and hard work.

    Many people admired the old judge for his fairness.

    Similarrespect, value, esteem, praise, applaud

    Oppositedespise, scorn, disdain, deplore

    Note
  4. 4
    verbdialectalUS
    To really want or like to do something.

    Like really looking forward to doing something fun.

    I'd admire to come along to the fair with you.

    And I'd admire seeing this creek become a sort of stopping place for geese of one sort and another.
    1976, Field & StreamHere, admire means would really like, as in he would love seeing this.

    Similarlike, love, want

    Oppositehate

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To be amazed or surprised at something.
    examples rather to be admired than imitated
    1640, Thomas Fuller, The Holy StateHere, admired means looked at with wonder and surprise.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of admire apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin, where it meant "to wonder at," through Middle French and Middle English.