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noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

admiration

ad-muh-RAY-shuhn

Admiration (noun) means a feeling of respect and warm approval for someone or something impressive. Example: “She watched the acrobats with open admiration.”

noun
1
A feeling of respect and warm approval for someone or something impressive.
"She watched the acrobats with open admiration."
"His colleagues have great admiration for his work ethic."

How to use admiration

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRespect and approval, often mixed with a bit of wonder, for someone or something impressive.

Common pairings
admiration for gain admiration mutual admiration

Word forms

admirations plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She watched the acrobats with open _____.

Etymology

From Latin admiratio, from admirari ("to wonder at") — ad- ("toward") plus mirari ("to marvel").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for admiration

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Frequently asked questions

What does “admiration” mean?

The word “admiration” means a feeling of respect and warm approval for someone or something impressive. In plain terms, respect and approval, often mixed with a bit of wonder, for someone or something impressive.

How do you pronounce “admiration”?

“Admiration” is pronounced ad-muh-RAY-shuhn (/ˌæd.məˈɹeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “admiration” in a sentence?

Here is “admiration” used in a sentence: “She watched the acrobats with open admiration.”

What part of speech is “admiration”?

“Admiration” is a noun.

Where does the word “admiration” come from?

The word “admiration” comes from Latin. From Latin admiratio, from admirari ("to wonder at") — ad- ("toward") plus mirari ("to marvel").

Is “admiration” a common word?

“Admiration” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between admiration and respect?

Respect is a general recognition of someone's worth, rights, or ability, while admiration adds a warmer element of approval and being impressed by someone or something. You can respect someone without feeling the warmer, positive emotion that admiration implies.

What is the difference between admiration and envy?

Admiration is a positive feeling of respect and approval for someone or something impressive, without resentment. Envy involves wanting what someone else has and is often tinged with resentment, making it a much less positive feeling than admiration.

Is admiration the same as awe?

Not quite. Awe usually involves a sense of being overwhelmed or humbled, often by something vast or extraordinary, while admiration is a warmer, more approving feeling of respect for someone or something impressive.

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