admire

/ədˈmaɪər/

/ædˈmaɪə/

Other forms: admired; admiring; admires

If you hold someone in high esteem or look up to someone, you admire that person. If you ask four-year-olds who they most admire, they are likely to list their mom, dad, and grandparents — or superheroes and comic book characters.

The verb admire also means to look at with wonder and pleasure. She stood on the balcony of her hotel for a long time, simply to admire the view of the ocean and the surf as it crashed against the rocks below. I admire the way she volunteers to help at the school and with other charities because she is willing to give her time to good causes.

Definitions of admire

1. verb

   feel admiration for
   synonyms: look up to

   antonyms:

   look down on

   regard with contempt

   types:

   envy

   feel envious towards; admire enviously

   type of:

   esteem, prise, prize, respect, value

   regard highly; think much of
2. verb

   look at with admiration
   type of:

   look

   perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards