admirer

American

[ad-mahyuhr-er] / ædˈmaɪər ər /

noun

a person who regards someone or something with wonder, pleasure, or approval.

His admirers say he has all the qualities of a good presenter—he's unflappable, charming, and witty.
A popular plot in classic films is the story of a famous actress or dancer who receives a dozen roses after her performance with a card signed, “A secret admirer.”

Other Word Forms

preadmirer

noun

Etymology

Origin of admirer

admire ( def. ) + -er ¹

Explanation

An admirer is a fan, supporter, or lover. If you're an admirer of Jane Austen, you are enthusiastic about her novels and appreciate her writing. The president of a pop star's fan club can describe himself as the star's admirer, and a college student who is crazy about her psychology professor is also an admirer. If there's someone in your life who leaves unsigned love notes in your mailbox, you can call that person your "secret admirer." In the 1700s, the word was primarily romantic, and it comes from a Latin root, admirari, "to wonder at."

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Vocabulary lists containing admirer

Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -er, -or

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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.

CEO Dimon is a student and admirer of Buffett, and echoed that line of thinking on JPMorgan’s earnings conference call Tuesday.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

"I've been a long supporter and admirer of what's happening in India," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

But I would have liked to have met him and say I’m an admirer.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Peter Henriques, an admirer of Washington who has recently published two insightful books on his character, writes that Washington “was not a ‘selfless’ man or one who was simply engaging in disinterested service.

From Slate • Feb. 16, 2026

He started out as an admirer of Archimedes.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023