admire
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to feel or express admiration.
-
Dialect. to take pleasure; like or desire.
I would admire to go.
idioms
verb
-
to regard with esteem, respect, approval, or pleased surprise
-
archaic to wonder at
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
quasi-admireverb
-
admiringadjective
-
admiringlyadverb
-
unadmiredadjective
-
admirernoun
-
preadmireverb (used with object)
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have admiredperfect
-
has admiredperfect 3rd person singular
-
has been admiringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are admiringprogressive
-
have been admiringperfect progressive
-
am admiringprogressive 1st person singular
-
admiressingular 3rd person
-
admiringparticiple
-
is admiringprogressive 3rd person singular
Past
-
had admiredperfect
-
had been admiringperfect progressive
-
was admiringprogressive singular
-
admiredparticiple
-
admiredsimple
-
were admiringprogressive plural
Future
Etymology
Origin of admire
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin admīrārī, equivalent to ad- ad- + mīrārī (in Medieval Latin mīrāre ) “to wonder at, admire”
Explanation
If you hold someone in high esteem or look up to someone, you admire that person. If you ask four-year-olds who they most admire, they are likely to list their mom, dad, and grandparents — or superheroes and comic book characters. The verb admire also means to look at with wonder and pleasure. She stood on the balcony of her hotel for a long time, simply to admire the view of the ocean and the surf as it crashed against the rocks below. I admire the way she volunteers to help at the school and with other charities because she is willing to give her time to good causes.
Vocabulary lists containing admire
"Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." and "I Have a Dream"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"A Natural Balance" and "In My Dreams"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Lyrics from "American Pie" by Don McLean
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Eight people were injured in a blast at the Eurenco site in 2022, less than 2 miles from the historic quarter where tourists admire a statue of the big-nosed playwright Cyrano, named after the town.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
If you’re not a fan of cars, there’s little to admire about the character design.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
I’m not one for vehicular envy, but while traveling a few weeks back, I couldn’t help but admire another man’s rickety Nissan Altima.
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
There was plenty to admire in how Dean revived England, though.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
Sheed wrote: “Of Ezra Pound, as of Bobby Fischer, all that can be decently said is that his colleagues admire him. There is no reason for anyone else to.”
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
