esteem

[ih-steem]

verb (used with object)

to regard highly or favorably; regard with respect or admiration: I esteem him for his honesty.

to consider as of a certain value or of a certain type; regard: I esteem it worthless.

Obsolete. to set a value on; appraise.

noun

favorable opinion or judgment; respect or regard: to hold a person in esteem.

Archaic. opinion or judgment; estimation; valuation.

Origin of esteem

1400–50; late Middle English estemen, < Middle French estimer < Latin aestimāre to fix the value of

Related formspre·es·teem, verb (used with object)un·es·teemed, adjectivewell-es·teemed, adjective

Synonyms for esteem

1. honor, revere, respect. 4. favor, admiration, honor, reverence, veneration.

Synonym study

1. See appreciate. 4. See respect.

Antonyms for esteem

1. disdain.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for well-esteemed

esteem

verb (tr)

to have great respect or high regard forto esteem a colleague

formal to judge or consider; deemto esteem an idea improper

noun

high regard or respect; good opinion

archaic judgment; opinion

Derived Formsesteemed, adjective

Word Origin for esteem

C15: from Old French estimer, from Latin aestimāre estimate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for well-esteemed

esteem

mid-15c., from Middle French estimer (14c.), from Latin aestimare "to value, appraise," perhaps ultimately from *ais-temos "one who cuts copper," i.e. mints money (but de Vaan finds this "not very credible"). At first used as we would now use estimate; sense of "value, respect" is 1530s. Related: Esteemed; esteeming.

esteem

(also steem, extyme), mid-14c., "account, worth," from French estime, from estimer (see esteem (v.)). Meaning "high regard" is from 1610s.