Admiring

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Pronunciation: /ædˈmaɪ.ɚ.ɪŋ/

Definitions

1. To hold a deep appreciation for someone or something that elicits respect and esteem, while expressing admiration and appreciation for their qualities or abilities
2. Experiencing or demonstrating a positive regard and high opinion of someone or something's attributes or actions
3. Expressing esteem or praise for qualities that are valued or impressive in a person or object

Etymology: "Admiring" is simply the present participle of "admire," so its story is really the story of the verb. That verb reached English from Middle French "admirer," which came from Latin "admirari," built from "ad" ("at" or "toward") and "mirari," meaning "to wonder at." The Latin root of wonder is the same one behind "miracle" and "mirror," though those words came into English by other routes. The original sense was closer to astonishment than to approval. To admire something once meant to marvel at it, to be struck with wonder, and the modern idea of looking up to someone grew out of that sense of being amazed. Middle English borrowed the verb as "admyren," and the meaning of respect and esteem developed from it over time.

Synonyms: appreciative, regarding, approving

Antonyms: disapproving, detesting