# admiration

/ˌædmɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌædməɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/admiration
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. respect and approval

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. wonder or surprise

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a feeling of wonder or surprise at something impressive.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I have a lot of admiration for her hard work.
- The young athlete looked at the gold medalist with pure admiration during the awards ceremony.
- While his methods were often controversial, his peers could not help but express admiration for the sheer scale of his intellectual ambition and dedication.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.