First Known Use: 1566
Dictionary
admire
verb ad·mire \əd-ˈmī(-ə)r\
: to feel respect or approval for (someone or something)
: to look at (something or someone) with enjoyment
ad·miredad·mir·ing
Full Definition of ADMIRE
transitive verb
1
: to regard with admiration
2
archaic : to marvel at
intransitive verb
dial : to like very much <I would admire to know why not — A. H. Lewis>
— ad·mir·er noun
— ad·mir·ing·ly \-ˈmī-riŋ-lē\ adverb
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Origin of ADMIRE
Middle French admirer, to marvel at, from Latin admirari, from ad- + mirari to wonder, from mirus astonishing
Related to ADMIRE
- Synonyms
- appreciate, consider, esteem, regard, respect, set store by (or on)
Synonym Discussion of ADMIRE
regard, respect, esteem, admire mean to recognize the worth of a person or thing. regard is a general term that is usually qualified <he is highly regarded in the profession>. respect implies a considered evaluation or estimation <after many years they came to respect her views>. esteem implies greater warmth of feeling accompanying a high valuation <no citizen of the town was more highly esteemed>. admire suggests usually enthusiastic appreciation and often deep affection <a friend that I truly admire>.
Rhymes with ADMIRE
ADMIRER Defined for Kids
admire
verb ad·mire \əd-ˈmīr\
ad·miredad·mir·ing
Definition of ADMIRE for Kids
: to think very highly of : feel admiration for
— ad·mir·er noun
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