English Reference

Word

admiration

Phoneticsad·mi·ra·tion, stress on the third syllable

US/ˌædmɝˈeɪʃən/

UK/ˌædməɹˈeɪʃən/

Definitions

01respect and approval

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. a feeling of respect and liking for someone because of their qualities or achievements.

n. a feeling of warm approval, respect, and appreciation for someone or something based on perceived excellence.

“I have a lot of admiration for her courage during the difficult move.”

“The young scientist expressed deep admiration for her mentor's commitment to ethical research and rigorous methodology.”

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'for' before the object of the emotion.

Pitfall

I have a big admiration for her work.

I have great admiration for her work.

In English, we usually use 'great' or 'deep' rather than 'big' to describe strong feelings like admiration.

Synonyms

respectesteemappreciation

Antonyms

contemptdisdainscorn

02wonder or surprise

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic · Literary

n. a feeling of wonder or surprise at something impressive.

n. a state of wonder or astonishment, often without the modern connotation of moral approval.

“The travelers looked at the ancient ruins with great admiration.”

“In the seventeenth-century text, the author uses 'admiration' to describe the pure shock of seeing the comet, rather than a feeling of respect.”

Usage

Found primarily in historical texts or high-register literature.

Synonyms

wonderamazementastonishment

Etymology

From Middle English admiracion, borrowed from Middle French admiration, or directly from Latin admīrātiō, from prefix ad- (“to, towards”) + mīrō (“I look at”) + -ātiō. Compare the verb admire, and US dialectal terms miration and mirate.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

VERB

NOUN

admiration(B1)

Idioms

01. mutual admiration society

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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