Admiration: meaning, definitions and examples

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admiration

 

[ ˌædməˈreɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

feeling of respect

Admiration is a feeling of respect and approval towards someone or something. It involves a positive perception of qualities or achievements that are considered impressive or praiseworthy by the observer.

Synonyms

appreciation, esteem, respect.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
admiration

Used when expressing a strong feeling of approval or delight towards someone or something that is highly impressive or worthy.

  • She felt a deep admiration for her mentor's dedication to the cause.
  • His paintings were held in high admiration by art critics.
respect

Used to show regard and consideration for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others. It's more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

  • You should always show respect to your elders.
  • I have a deep respect for her courage and resilience.
esteem

Commonly used in formal contexts to denote high regard or respect for someone, often implying a deeper, more intrinsic value.

  • He was held in great esteem by his colleagues for his ethical practices.
  • The scholar's work is highly esteemed in academic circles.
appreciation

Suitable for expressing recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something, often used to convey gratitude.

  • I would like to express my appreciation for your hard work on this project.
  • Her appreciation for classical music grew over the years.

Examples of usage

  • She looked at him with admiration in her eyes.
  • I have great admiration for his work ethic.
Context #2 | Noun

wonder and delight

Admiration can also refer to a feeling of wonder and delight caused by something beautiful, remarkable, or extraordinary. It is often associated with awe and appreciation for the magnificence of something.

Synonyms

awe, delight, wonder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
admiration

Used when expressing a strong feeling of respect or approval for someone or something.

  • She looked at her teacher with admiration
  • His bravery earned him the admiration of his peers
awe

Used when expressing a feeling of reverential respect combined with fear or wonder, usually for something grand or powerful.

  • They watched in awe as the rocket launched into space
  • The sight of the grand canyon filled them with awe
wonder

Used when expressing a feeling of amazement and curiosity about something unknown or extraordinary.

  • They were filled with wonder at the sight of the Northern Lights
  • The child's face was full of wonder as he looked at the stars
delight

Used when expressing a strong feeling of happiness and pleasure.

  • The children screamed with delight when they saw the ice cream truck
  • Seeing her best friend again after so long was an absolute delight

Examples of usage

  • The view from the mountaintop filled her with admiration.
  • The painting was met with universal admiration.

Translations

Translations of the word "admiration" in other languages:

🇵🇹 admiração

🇮🇳 प्रशंसा

🇩🇪 Bewunderung

🇮🇩 kekaguman

🇺🇦 захоплення

🇵🇱 podziw

🇯🇵 賞賛 (しょうさん)

🇫🇷 admiration

🇪🇸 admiración

🇹🇷 hayranlık

🇰🇷 감탄 (gamtan)

🇸🇦 إعجاب

🇨🇿 obdiv

🇸🇰 obdiv

🇨🇳 钦佩 (qīnpèi)

🇸🇮 občudovanje

🇮🇸 aðdáun

🇰🇿 таңдану

🇬🇪 აღტაცება

🇦🇿 heyranlıq

🇲🇽 admiración

Etymology

The word 'admiration' originated from the Latin word 'admiratio', which means 'wonder' or 'astonishment'. Over time, it evolved to encompass feelings of respect and approval. The concept of admiration has been explored in various philosophical and psychological contexts, highlighting its role in human relationships and appreciation of excellence.

See also: admire, admired, admirer, admirers, admiring, admiringly.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,352 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.