Admire in English: Meaning, Grammar, Synonyms, Examples

The verb “admire” in English expresses respect, appreciation, or deep approval. This guide explains its core meanings, grammar patterns, and common collocations, compares it with similar words like “respect” and “appreciate,” and shows practical examples in IELTS/TOEIC contexts with exercises.

I. What is Admire in English?

The verb "admire" is commonly used in English to express a feeling of respect, appreciation, or deep approval toward someone or something. It is a versatile term that frequently appears in conversational English, academic writing, and standardized tests such as IELTS or TOEIC.

Admire is classified as a verb, and it typically follows common grammatical patterns such as "admire someone" or "admire something for a reason.". Main meanings of “admire” in English

• To look up to someone because of their qualities or achievements
  Example: I really admire my teacher for her dedication.
• To appreciate something beautiful or impressive
  Example: Tourists stopped to admire the architecture of the temple.

In both cases, "admire" conveys more than a casual “like.” It suggests deeper emotional respect or recognition of value.

Here are some simple examples of “admire” in daily communication:

• I admire how calm you are in stressful situations.
• Lots of people admire her sense of style.

Understanding how “admire” functions in English will help learners speak and write with more nuance, particularly when expressing emotions, personal values, or opinions in exams and real-life contexts.

1. Grammar Structures with “Admire”

The verb “admire” can appear in a variety of sentence structures, depending on the object of admiration and the intended emphasis. Understanding these structures will help learners avoid grammatical errors and use the word more naturally in both writing and speaking contexts.

Common sentence patterns

Here are some frequently used grammar structures with admire:

Each of these patterns helps learners express admiration with precision and grammatical accuracy.

Verb tenses and passive voice

The verb “admire” can be used in various tenses. Some examples include:

It can also appear in the passive voice, especially in formal or descriptive writing.

• He is admired for his dedication to the community.
• She was admired by colleagues for her innovation.

Expressions like at the moment in English often occur with verbs such as ‘admire’ in exam responses to add time context

Common collocations with “admire”

“Admire” is often paired with adverbs or descriptive phrases to intensify the meaning. Here are some common collocations:

These combinations add emotional nuance and are particularly useful in more expressive writing or speaking, such as IELTS Part 2 or opinion essays.

2. Synonymous words/phrases to Admire in English

A practical step is to learn synonyms in English broadly, which ensures variety in both writing and speaking.

Using synonyms for “admire” can help learners expand their vocabulary and speak or write with more fluency and nuance. While “admire” expresses a feeling of deep respect or approval, many related words carry slightly different connotations depending on the context—whether formal, informal, emotional, or professional.

Admire vs. Respect vs. Appreciate

Although similar, these words are not always interchangeable:

Learners should be aware of these differences to choose the most appropriate term for different contexts.

Formal alternatives for academic or professional writing

In writing tasks, particularly IELTS Writing Task 2 or formal reports, using synonyms can improve lexical resource by avoiding repetition. Suitable phrases include:

These alternatives provide stylistic variety while preserving the core meaning.

Informal expressions and speaking-friendly synonyms

When speaking, especially in IELTS Speaking Part 1 or 2, natural expressions are key to fluency. Informal or conversational phrases include:

• I really look up to her.
• He’s my role model.
• I think the world of him.
• She’s someone I truly admire.

These expressions are useful when describing people you admire, which is a common topic in real-life conversations and English exams.

II. Using “Admire” in English Exams

The verb “admire” is not only useful for everyday conversation but also appears frequently in English proficiency exams, especially in IELTS Speaking, IELTS Writing, and TOEIC Reading or Listening sections. 

IELTS Speaking: Sample Usage and Tips

Admire is particularly common in Speaking Part 2, where you may be asked to describe a person you admire.

Sample cue card: Describe a person you admire. You should say:

• who the person is
• what they do
• why you admire them
• and explain how they influenced you

Example answer (Band 6.5–7+):

I really admire my grandmother because she raised six children on her own and never once complained. Even now, at the age of 85, she’s still active and independent. I admire her strength, resilience, and the way she always stays positive no matter what.

Tips:

• Use “admire” with positive traits or actions.
• Combine with collocations like “deeply admire” or “have always admired”.
• Don’t repeat “admire” too often—use synonyms like “look up to” or “respect” where appropriate.

IELTS/TOEIC Writing: Correct Structures and Usage

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you might want to express admiration for a profession, a person, or a social contribution. Using “admire” in the correct form can help you vary language and emphasize positive evaluation.

Example sentence:

• Many people admire successful entrepreneurs for their persistence and innovation.
• This shows precise vocabulary and an ability to express complex ideas clearly.

Common errors to avoid:

• Missing prepositions: Incorrect: I admire how he honest is.
• Using “admire” with incorrect structures: Incorrect: I admire to him.
• Overusing "admire" when formal paraphrasing is more appropriate (e.g., writing “value” or “commend” in formal essays)

Using “admire” strategically and accurately in English exams helps learners express admiration without sounding repetitive or simplistic. It also signals to examiners that the speaker or writer has control over tone, emotion, and complexity of expression.

III. Exercises on Admire in English

Practicing how to use the verb “admire” in various sentence structures and contexts is essential for mastering its meaning and improving fluency. The following exercises will help reinforce grammar, expand vocabulary, and prepare learners for real-life communication and exam settings.

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “admire”

Complete each sentence by using the appropriate tense of the verb admire.

1. I really __________ my parents for their hard work.
2. She __________ his maturity when they first met.
3. We have always __________ the way he speaks in public.
4. He is __________ across the country for his dedication to education.
5. Do you __________ anyone in your profession?

Exercise 2: Match the sentences to the correct synonyms

Match each sentence using admire with another sentence expressing the same idea using a synonym or paraphrase.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentence using the word “admire”

Rephrase the following sentences so that they include the verb admire and maintain the original meaning.

1. She really respects her teacher’s patience.
2. I look up to my sister because of her confidence.
3. Everyone thinks highly of the manager because of her integrity.

Answers

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IV. Start Your IELTS Journey

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