admiringly
gb/ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli/ us/ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
in a way that shows admiration
showing that you like or respect someone or something.
Usage pattern:
[verb] admiringly (at [someone/something]) / (of [someone/something])
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with admirably (= very well): 'She handled it admirably' (not 'admiringly').
Synonyms
appreciatively (emphasizes gratitude or recognition of value.)
|
approvingly (focuses on approval rather than strong admiration.)
|
respectfully (highlights respect, often in a more formal way.)
Antonyms
disparagingly (shows lack of respect and speaks negatively.)
|
dismissively (treats someone or something as unimportant.)
|
critically (focuses on faults rather than praise.)
Collocations
look admiringly
|smile admiringly
|gaze admiringly
|watch admiringly
|nod admiringly
|speak admiringly of
|talk admiringly about
|refer to someone admiringly
|remark admiringly
|say admiringly
Themes
emotions
|communication
|opinions
Examples
- The students listened admiringly as she described her research.
- He spoke admiringly of his grandmother’s courage during the war.
- She watched admiringly as the chef worked at incredible speed.
Learner examples
- I looked at the painting admiringly.
- They spoke admiringly about their teacher.
adverb
B2
property
2
with warm or romantic admiration
showing that you find someone attractive or impressive.
Usage pattern:
[verb] admiringly at [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'admiring' instead of the adverb: say 'She smiled admiringly,' not 'She smiled admiring.'
Synonyms
adoringly (stronger and more affectionate than 'admiringly'.)
|
fondly (suggests affection and tenderness more than admiration.)
Antonyms
coldly (shows no warmth or affection.)
|
contemptuously (shows strong dislike and disrespect.)
Collocations
look at someone admiringly
|smile at someone admiringly
|gaze at someone admiringly
|glance admiringly
|eye someone admiringly
|watch someone admiringly
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|body_language
Examples
- She glanced at him admiringly when he started playing the piano.
- He looked at her admiringly and said nothing for a moment.
- They stood close, smiling admiringly at each other.
Learner examples
- He looked at her admiringly.
- She smiled admiringly at him.
Grammar
Dictionary form
admiringly
IPA
GB/ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli/
US/ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli/
Syllables & stress
ad - mir - ingly (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mir)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: admiringly
- Plural: admiringlies
Word family
Forms
admiringlies
noun
Core family
Related words
admirable
adjective B2
admirably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unadmiring
adjective
Expressions
gaze at [someone/something] admiringly
1/ɡˈeɪz ˈæt sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli/
fixed phrase
stare with admiration
to look for a long time because you admire it.
Examples
- Tourists gazed admiringly at the cathedral ceiling.
- She gazed at him admiringly across the table.
- He gazed admiringly at the skyline from the bridge.
look at [someone/something] admiringly
1/lˈʊk ˈæt sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli/
fixed phrase
look with admiration
to look and show you like what you see.
Examples
- We looked admiringly at the photos from her trip.
- He looked at the new bike admiringly.
- She looked at him admiringly when he finished the speech.
nod admiringly
1/nˈɑd ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli/
fixed phrase
nod to show approval
to nod because you approve.
Examples
- The coach nodded admiringly at the team’s discipline.
- She nodded admiringly as he explained the solution.
- Several people nodded admiringly when the results appeared.
smile admiringly
1/smˈaɪl ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli/
fixed phrase
smile to show admiration
to smile because you admire someone or something.
Examples
- She smiled admiringly as the children performed on stage.
- He smiled admiringly at her confidence.
- They smiled admiringly at the finished project.
speak admiringly of [someone/something]
1/spˈik ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli əv sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
talk with praise
to say good things about someone or something.
Examples
- Her colleagues speak admiringly of her leadership.
- He spoke admiringly of the city’s public libraries.
- People still speak admiringly of her early films.
watch [someone/something] admiringly
1/wˈɔt͡ʃ sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ ædmˈaɪɹɪŋli/
fixed phrase
watch with appreciation
to watch and feel admiration.
Examples
- We watched admiringly as she finished the marathon.
- He watched the dancers admiringly from the front row.
- They watched admiringly while the artist sketched in silence.