estimable

[es-tuh-muh-buhl]

adjective

1. worthy of esteem; deserving respect or admiration.

   What an estimable young woman; a renowned neurosurgeon at 26.

   Synonyms: good, excellent, meritorious, laudable, admirable, respectable, reputable
   Antonyms: contemptible

2. capable of being estimated.

   The cost to society of drug addiction is hardly estimable.

estimable

/ ˈɛstɪməbəl /

adjective

1. worthy of respect; deserving of admiration

   my estimable companion

Other Word Forms

• estimableness noun
• estimably adverb
• nonestimable adjective
• nonestimableness noun
• nonestimably adverb
• unestimable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of estimable¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin aestimābilis, equivalent to aestim(āre) “to value, price, set the monetary value of” + -ābilis, an adjective suffix; esteem, -able

Example Sentences

The book is ostensibly “authored” by McCartney even though it is an oral history that has been edited by Ted Widmer, an estimable historian and a former speechwriter for Bill Clinton.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s still very early days here and the liability is simply not estimable today,” Pizarro said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He has benefited not just from Mr. McCarthy’s estimable sway in the Bakersfield region, but also from an endorsement from former President Donald J. Trump.

Read more on New York Times

Leitch is a former stunt performer who has his own estimable résumé, which includes doubling for Brad Pitt, whom he later directed in “Bullet Train.”

Read more on New York Times

Xabi Alonso, its estimable young coach, remains on course to claim a treble — league, cup, Europa League — in his first full season.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• esteemed 
• praiseworthy