To admire someone or something means to look at them with respect, approval, or wonder. When you admire your older sister's talent for drawing, you recognize how skilled she is and feel genuine appreciation for her abilities. When visitors admire a sunset, they pause to appreciate its beauty and might even feel a sense of awe.

Admiration goes deeper than just liking something. You might like chocolate ice cream, but you admire a friend who works hard to master the violin or a scientist who makes an important discovery. The word carries a sense of looking up to someone or something, of seeing real value or excellence.

You can admire people for their character, their achievements, or their talents. You might admire a historical figure like George Washington for his leadership, or admire your neighbor for how kindly she treats everyone. You can also admire physical things: a beautifully designed building, a perfectly executed dive, or an intricate painting.

The noun form is admiration. When someone earns your admiration, they've done something that makes you respect them more. People often work hardest to earn the admiration of those they admire.