esteem
Respect and admiration for someone you think highly of.
Esteem means respect and admiration. When you hold someone in high esteem, you think well of them because of their character, abilities, or achievements. A teacher might be held in high esteem by students who appreciate how much she cares about their learning. A scientist might earn the esteem of colleagues through years of careful, honest research.
Esteem involves judging someone's worth thoughtfully. It's not the same as popularity or fame. A celebrity might be famous without being esteemed, while a quiet librarian who helps countless children discover books they love might earn deep esteem without being widely known.
You'll also see esteem used as a verb: “I esteem my grandfather for his wisdom and kindness.” The phrase self-esteem refers to how much you value and respect yourself. Someone with healthy self-esteem recognizes their own worth without becoming arrogant, while someone with low self-esteem struggles to see their own good qualities.
Esteem is earned slowly through consistent actions, but it can be lost quickly through dishonest or unkind behavior.