admirável

Admirável is a Portuguese adjective meaning worthy of admiration, or admirable. It is used to describe people, actions, or things that inspire respect, approval, or praise. The term can convey both genuine merit and a sense of aspiration or idealization, depending on context.

Etymology and related forms: admirável derives from the Latin admirabilis, from admirari, “to admire.” The suffix -ável marks it as capable of being admired. In Portuguese, the word is used in the same form for masculine and feminine singular; the plural form is admiráveis.

Usage notes: Admirável is commonly paired with nouns to express commendable qualities, as in “um feito admirável” (an admirable achievement) or “uma pessoa admirável” (an admirable person). It often appears in literary, rhetorical, or journalistic contexts to signal approval or to highlight exemplary conduct, though it can also be used ironically to critique modernity or utopian claims when appropriate.

Cultural references: Admirável Mundo Novo is the title of Aldous Huxley’s famous 1932 dystopian novel, translated into Portuguese as Brave New World. The title is frequently cited in discussions of technology, society, and control, and the phrase has entered broader cultural discourse as a reference to modernity presented as both enticing and problematic.

See also: admira, admirar, admirável (as a form), adjectives ending in -ável with similar morphological patterns.

In summary, admirável is a common Portuguese term used to denote something that deserves admiration, with a strong presence in literature and culture through notable expressions such as Admirável Mundo Novo.