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.