adoration
Americannoun
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the act of paying honor, as to a divine being; worship.
-
reverent homage.
-
fervent and devoted love.
noun
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deep love or esteem
-
the act of worshipping
Etymology
Origin of adoration
1535–45; < Latin adōrātiōn- (stem of adōrātiō ) worship. See adore, -ation
Explanation
Adoration is a feeling of deep love. Some people may say animals don't have emotions, but you know from the adoration in your dog's eyes that it's just not true. The noun adoration comes from the Latin word adorationem, which means "worship," particularly in a religious way. Adoration is still used today in a religious context, in phrases like "the adoration of God." If you adore or deeply love someone, you can describe that feeling as adoration. It's the kind of feeling Romeo had for Juliet, devoted fans have for a pop star, and you have for your beloved cat.
Vocabulary lists containing adoration
Dubliners
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"The Picture of Dorian Gray," Vocabulary from Chapters 5-8
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Camp Panda
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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.
Perhaps SGA would get more adoration if he starred for a big-market club with courtside celebrities.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
He’s not a filmmaker given to false modesty, but how long can you bask in that kind of adoration?
From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026
But the global recognition of Max's adoration began when his mum posted his drawings on Facebook, along with a plea for the card to reach Sir David as "it's her little boy's dream".
From BBC • May 7, 2026
Ms. MacDonald’s love for the company—the book ends with a ranking of her 50 favorite Nintendo games—can veer toward blinkered adoration.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
Only a few weeks after the Time cover story, however, the locomotive of adoration was sidelined by a more substantial critique.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
