adoration
Americannoun
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the act of paying honor, as to a divine being; worship.
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reverent homage.
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fervent and devoted love.
noun
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deep love or esteem
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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
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
“It’s the markers of age that make something very organic, analog, real and personal,” Schwartz explains about his adoration for VHS.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
Fabled Southern heritage has devolved into crackpot eccentricity, but that only deepens Louise’s adoration for the holdouts who honor it.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
To write my essay I had to read books differently, without giving myself over to either fear or adoration.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
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.
