admiration
gb/ˌædmɚˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌædmɚˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
Respect and warm approval
A feeling that someone or something is very good and you like them for it.
Usage pattern:
admiration for [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'admiration' with 'admirer'. 'Admiration' is the feeling; an 'admirer' is the person who feels it.
Synonyms
respect (Focuses on esteem for someone's qualities or achievements, sometimes without emotional warmth.)
|
esteem (More formal; suggests high regard or value placed on someone or something.)
Antonyms
disdain (Shows the opposite—strong dislike or lack of respect.)
|
contempt (Strong feeling that someone or something is worthless or beneath consideration.)
Collocations
deep admiration
|mutual admiration
|admiration for
|look of admiration
|express admiration
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has great admiration for her teacher's dedication.
- The athlete received the crowd's admiration after winning the race.
- His bravery in the face of danger earned him universal admiration.
- They spoke of her with admiration and gratitude.
- The painting was the object of much admiration at the gallery.
Learner examples
- I have admiration for my parents.
- We feel admiration for the doctor.
- She looked at him with admiration.
- They showed admiration for the singer.
- The children have admiration for their coach.
Noun
B1
action
2
Pleasurable, approving observation
The action of looking at something because you like or respect it.
Usage pattern:
in admiration
Synonyms
appreciation (Emphasizes valuing the qualities of something when observing it.)
Collocations
look of admiration
|gaze of admiration
|watch in admiration
Themes
emotions
|art
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They stood in silent admiration of the sunset.
- He watched her in admiration as she danced.
- The tourists gazed in admiration at the ancient temple.
Learner examples
- We looked in admiration at the flowers.
- He watched in admiration as she painted.
- They stood in admiration of the tall building.
Grammar
Dictionary form
admiration
IPA
GB/ˌædmɚˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌædmɚˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
ad - mir - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mir)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: admiration
- Plural: admiration
Word family
Related words
Advanced or less common
admiringly
adverb B2
Expressions
look on with admiration
1/lˈʊk ˈɔn wˈɪθ ˌædmɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Watch with respect and approval
To watch someone or something because you respect and like them or it.
Examples
- She looked on with admiration as her son received the award.
- They looked on with admiration at the skilled performance.
mutual admiration society
1/mjˈut͡ʃuəl ˌædmɚˈeɪʃən səsˈaɪəti/
idiom
informal
Group that praises each other
A group of people who always say good things about each other, often too much.
Examples
- Those two are like a mutual admiration society, always complimenting each other's work.
- The meeting turned into a mutual admiration society, with everyone praising each other.