admiration
Admiration is the feeling of deep respect and approval you have for someone or something.
Explanation at your level:
Admiration is a good feeling. When you see someone do something great, you feel happy for them. You respect them. For example, if your friend runs very fast, you feel admiration for them. It is like saying, 'You are very good!'
You use admiration when you think someone is special. If a teacher helps you learn, you might feel admiration for the teacher. It means you respect their work and their character. It is a very kind and positive word to use.
Admiration is the deep respect you feel for someone's achievements or qualities. It is common to say 'I have admiration for...' when you want to praise someone. It is more formal than just saying 'I like you.' It shows you value what they have done.
Admiration often implies a sense of looking up to someone. It is frequently used in professional settings to show appreciation for a colleague's skills. The nuance here is that it is not just about liking someone, but recognizing their excellence or virtue.
In advanced contexts, admiration can describe a state of intellectual or aesthetic awe. It is used to denote a profound recognition of merit. It goes beyond simple praise; it suggests that the subject has reached a standard that you find worthy of emulation or deep contemplation.
At the C2 level, admiration is understood as a complex psychological state. It is often linked to the concept of 'the sublime' in literary criticism, where the object of admiration is so grand it inspires a sense of wonder. It is a term of high register, often used in formal tributes or philosophical discourse to acknowledge the intersection of character and greatness.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Admiration is a feeling of respect.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is always followed by 'for'.
- It is a positive, polite word.
When you feel admiration, you are experiencing a warm, respectful appreciation for something or someone. Think of it as the feeling you get when you see a hero save the day, or when you look at a beautiful painting and just go, 'Wow!'
It is not just about liking something; it is about respecting the value or the skill behind it. Whether it is a friend who is great at math or a musician who plays perfectly, admiration is your way of saying, 'I see what you did there, and it is impressive.' It is a very positive, uplifting emotion that helps us connect with others.
The word admiration comes from the Latin word admiratio, which literally means 'a looking at with wonder.' It is rooted in the verb admirari, where ad- means 'to' and mirari means 'to wonder' or 'to look at.'
You might recognize the word miracle or mirror—they all share that same Latin root related to looking and wondering. Over time, the word moved through Old French before entering English in the 14th century, keeping its core meaning of being struck by the beauty or excellence of something.
We usually use admiration in situations where we want to express genuine respect. You might say, 'I have great admiration for her work,' which sounds professional and sincere. It is common to pair it with verbs like express, feel, or show.
In casual conversation, we might just say, 'I admire that,' but using the noun admiration adds a bit more weight to your compliment. It is a versatile word that works just as well in a business meeting as it does in a heartfelt letter to a friend.
While there are not many 'idioms' using the word itself, we often use phrases like 'in admiration of' or 'filled with admiration' to describe a state of being. For example, 'I stood there in total admiration of the sunset.' It acts as a way to emphasize how deeply you are affected by the subject.
Admiration is an uncountable noun, meaning we don't usually say 'an admiration' or 'admirations.' It is pronounced /ˌæd.məˈreɪ.ʃən/ in both British and American English, with the stress falling on the third syllable.
It rhymes with words like inspiration, creation, and sensation. When using it, you will often see it followed by the preposition for, such as 'I have admiration for his courage.' It is a classic example of a noun derived from a verb (admire), following the common -tion suffix rule.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'mirror', as both involve looking closely at something.
Pronunciation Guide
Crisp, clear vowels.
Slightly more relaxed 'r'.
Common Errors
- Misplacing the stress
- Pronouncing 'tion' as 'shun' too softly
- Adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Admiration is uncountable.
Prepositional Phrases
Admiration for...
Noun Suffixes
-tion suffix
Examples by Level
I have admiration for my mom.
I respect my mother.
Noun + for + object.
He is a hero, I feel admiration.
I feel respect for him.
Subject + verb + noun.
She has my admiration.
I respect her.
Possessive pronoun + noun.
We look at him with admiration.
We watch him with respect.
With + noun.
I show admiration for his art.
I like his art a lot.
Verb + noun + for.
Admiration is a good feeling.
It is a positive emotion.
Abstract noun as subject.
They have admiration for the team.
They respect the players.
Noun + for.
I feel admiration for you.
I respect you.
Feeling + admiration.
I have great admiration for her hard work.
He gained the admiration of his classmates.
The crowd looked at the statue with admiration.
She expressed her admiration for the project.
I have deep admiration for his honesty.
They share a mutual admiration.
His courage earned him my admiration.
The teacher deserves our admiration.
I have always had a lot of admiration for people who volunteer.
She spoke of her mentor with genuine admiration.
The artist’s work is worthy of our admiration.
He has earned the admiration of his peers through his dedication.
There is a sense of mutual admiration between the two leaders.
I watched the sunset in silent admiration.
Her ability to solve problems is truly worthy of admiration.
He expressed his admiration for the team's resilience.
The public’s admiration for the athlete grew after the victory.
It is a rare talent that commands such universal admiration.
She looked at the ancient ruins with a sense of quiet admiration.
His unwavering commitment to justice is a source of great admiration.
They developed a deep admiration for the local culture.
The CEO spoke with admiration about the employees' efforts.
His work is held in high admiration by his colleagues.
She felt a surge of admiration for the nurse's patience.
The architect’s design is a testament to the admiration of classical forms.
He was filled with a profound admiration for the complexity of the system.
Her leadership style has garnered widespread admiration in the industry.
The audience was held in rapt admiration by the violinist's performance.
Such selfless acts are deserving of the highest admiration.
He viewed the historical figure with a critical but sincere admiration.
The sheer scale of the project commands our collective admiration.
She expressed her admiration for his intellectual rigor.
The poet’s verses evoke a sense of sublime admiration in the reader.
His life’s work stands as a monument to the admiration of human potential.
There exists a subtle, almost unspoken admiration between the rivals.
The scholar’s analysis was written with deep admiration for the original text.
One cannot help but feel a lingering admiration for such audacious bravery.
The painting captures the very essence of human admiration.
His philosophy is built upon the admiration of truth and beauty.
She regarded the challenge with a cool, detached admiration.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"look up to"
To admire and respect someone.
I look up to my father.
casual"think the world of"
To have great admiration for someone.
She thinks the world of her teacher.
casual"hold in high regard"
To respect someone deeply.
He is held in high regard here.
formal"in awe of"
To be filled with admiration and wonder.
I was in awe of the mountain.
neutral"take one's hat off to"
To admire someone's achievement.
I take my hat off to her for winning.
idiomatic"give credit where credit is due"
To acknowledge someone's good work.
We should give credit where credit is due.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar sound.
Adoration is stronger, like worship.
He looked at her with adoration.
Similar ending.
Ambition is a desire to achieve.
He has great ambition.
Same root.
Admirer is the person.
She has many admirers.
Same root.
Admirable is the adjective.
That is an admirable trait.
Sentence Patterns
I have admiration for [someone].
I have admiration for her.
[Someone] earns my admiration.
He earns my admiration.
It is worthy of admiration.
It is worthy of admiration.
With admiration, [someone] did [something].
With admiration, she watched him.
The admiration for [something] is [adjective].
The admiration for art is growing.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Use 'for', not 'to'.
It is uncountable.
The preposition is 'for'.
Collocation is 'show' or 'express'.
Preposition error.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a mirror (mir) reflecting your hero.
When Native Speakers Use It
When praising someone's skill or character.
Cultural Insight
Used in formal toasts and speeches.
Grammar Shortcut
It always takes 'for' as a preposition.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'RAY' syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't pluralize it.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin 'to look at'.
Study Smart
Learn the whole word family at once.
Better Writing
Use it to add depth to your descriptions.
Speaking Tip
Use it to give genuine compliments.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
AD (to) + MIR (mirror) + ATION (action) = Looking at someone in a mirror with respect.
Visual Association
A person looking at a statue with a big smile.
Word Web
Challenge
Tell a friend one thing you admire about them today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To look at with wonder
Cultural Context
None
Used often in formal speeches and personal compliments.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- I have admiration for your leadership
- Your work earns my admiration
- I admire your dedication
In school
- I have admiration for the teacher
- The project is worthy of admiration
- Show admiration for classmates
In art
- I have admiration for this painting
- The artist commands admiration
- A work of admiration
In relationships
- I have deep admiration for you
- Mutual admiration is key
- I express my admiration
Conversation Starters
"Who is someone you have great admiration for?"
"What kind of work earns your admiration?"
"Do you think admiration is important in a friendship?"
"How do you show admiration for others?"
"Can you describe a time you felt admiration for a stranger?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a person you admire and why.
Describe a piece of art that fills you with admiration.
How does it feel when someone expresses admiration for you?
Why is it important to show admiration to others?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is inherently a positive feeling of respect.
No, it is an uncountable noun.
The verb is 'admire'.
Not necessarily, though they can overlap.
ad-mi-RAY-shun.
Yes, you can admire art or architecture.
Usually 'for'.
It is neutral and fits in most contexts.
Test Yourself
I have ___ for my teacher.
Admiration is the noun for respect.
What does admiration mean?
Admiration is a positive feeling of respect.
Admiration is a countable noun.
It is uncountable.
Word
Meaning
Matching nouns to their meanings.
Subject + verb + noun + prep + object.
His work ___ my admiration.
Commands admiration is a common phrase.
Which is a synonym for admiration?
Esteem is a formal synonym.
You can say 'I have many admirations'.
Admiration is uncountable.
She is truly worthy of admiration.
The ___ of his peers was evident.
Needs a noun.
Score: /10
Summary
Admiration is the warm, respectful feeling you get when you recognize the greatness in others.
- Admiration is a feeling of respect.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is always followed by 'for'.
- It is a positive, polite word.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a mirror (mir) reflecting your hero.
When Native Speakers Use It
When praising someone's skill or character.
Cultural Insight
Used in formal toasts and speeches.
Grammar Shortcut
It always takes 'for' as a preposition.
Example
I have a lot of admiration for how you handle your busy schedule.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More Emotions words
abanimfy
C1A collective psychological state characterized by a profound loss of vitality, spirit, or motivation within a specific group or community. It describes the stagnation that occurs when a social structure or organization loses its shared sense of purpose and creative energy.
abanimize
C1The systematic process of neutralizing or stripping away emotional intensity from a situation to achieve a state of detached objectivity. It is primarily used to describe a mental state where complex human sentiments are reduced to manageable, clinical facts to avoid personal bias.
abhor
C1To feel a strong sense of horror, disgust, or intense hatred toward something. It is a formal verb used to describe a deep-seated moral or emotional repulsion.
abminity
C1To regard something with intense loathing or extreme disgust; to treat an object or idea as an abomination. It is used in high-level contexts to describe a profound moral or aesthetic aversion toward an action or concept.
abmotine
C1Describes a state of being emotionally detached or lacking intrinsic motivation, often characterized by a cold, clinical, or indifferent stance. It is used to denote a specific lack of movement or response to external emotional stimuli.
abominable
C1Causing a feeling of hatred or disgust; very unpleasant or disagreeable. It often describes something morally repulsive or extremely bad in quality.
abphilous
C1To consciously withdraw or distance oneself from a previous affinity, attraction, or emotional attachment. It involves a systematic effort to break a psychological bond in order to achieve a state of neutrality or objectivity.
absedhood
C1Describing a state of being profoundly detached or emotionally withdrawn from one's surroundings or social responsibilities. It refers to a specific condition of intense, often self-imposed, isolation or a lack of interest in external affairs.
abvidness
C1The quality or state of being intensely eager, enthusiastic, or consumed by a particular interest or desire. It represents a level of dedication and spirited engagement that often goes beyond standard enthusiasm, typical of scholars, collectors, or hobbyists.
adacrty
C1Alacrity refers to a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something. It describes not only the speed of an action but also the positive and enthusiastic attitude of the person performing it.
