Admirable means worthy of respect and approval. When something is admirable, it makes you think “I really respect that” or “that's impressive in a good way.”

An admirable action might be a student standing up for a classmate who's being picked on, even when it's uncomfortable. An admirable quality might be someone's determination to keep practicing piano even when pieces seem impossibly difficult. People often find courage, kindness, honesty, and perseverance admirable because these qualities take real effort and character.

The word suggests something beyond just “good” or “nice.” Admirable actions or traits make you want to be more like that person. When your teacher describes someone's work as admirable, she means it showed real thought, effort, or skill. When you admire someone, you look up to them because of their admirable qualities.

Notice that admirable doesn't mean perfect. Someone can make mistakes and still be admirable. What matters is how they handle challenges, treat others, and work toward their goals. An admirable person might be nervous before giving a speech but does it anyway. They might fail at something but keep trying. That's what makes them worth admiring.