Admire

Admire is a verb meaning to regard someone or something with respect, approval, or pleasure, or to look at with wonder or appreciation. It is transitive and typically takes a direct object, such as a person, a performance, a work of art, or a natural scene. Common uses include admiring a person’s qualities or achievements and admiring something’s beauty or excellence.

Origin and related forms: The word comes from Old French admirer, from Latin admirari "to wonder at," and is related to the noun admiration and the adjective admirable. The noun admiration denotes the feeling of respect and wonder, while admirable describes something worthy of praise.

Usage notes: Admire often conveys respect or esteem more than affection. It can express genuine praise or a mild sense of astonishment, and tone can influence whether it reads as sincere or reverential. It can also mean to gaze at with pleasure, as in admiring the view.

Examples: He admired her perseverance; she admired the sunset. The monument was admired by many for its craftsmanship. In conversation, you might say, "I admire your dedication to the project."

See also: admiration, admirable, admirer, admiring.