What does admirableness mean?
Admirableness is a noun denoting the quality of being worthy of admiration — the extent to which a person, action, or thing merits respect, approval, or praise. It is formed by adding the suffix '-ness' to the adjective 'admirable', which itself traces back through Latin mirari, 'to wonder at'. In practice the word is rare: English speakers overwhelmingly favour the synonym 'admirability', leaving 'admirableness' as a longer, more deliberate-sounding alternative that tends to surface in formal, literary, or reflective writing. Its connotations are entirely positive, and it is typically used when weighing or commenting on someone's character or conduct, as in remarks about the admirableness of a selfless act. Because it is uncommon but transparently constructed from familiar parts, readers understand it instantly even on first encounter — a useful trait for a word that lends prose a slightly elevated, considered tone without risking obscurity.
nounThe quality or state of being admirable; the degree to which something deserves admiration or approval.
- The quality of deserving admiration or approval; admirability.
"The admirableness of her quiet perseverance was not lost on anyone in the room."
"The committee praised the admirableness of his decision to donate the entire prize to charity."
"There is an understated admirableness in work done well without any expectation of praise."
Almost never used in the plural; the word is nearly always treated as an uncountable abstract noun.
"The essay catalogued the various admirablenesses of its subject's long career."
'Admirableness' is real but rare — most writers reach for 'admirability' instead, making this the underdog of the admiration family.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of admirableness
Admirableness is formed within English from the adjective 'admirable' plus the native suffix '-ness', which turns adjectives into abstract nouns. 'Admirable' derives from Latin admirabilis, from admirari ('to wonder at'), itself built on ad- ('toward') and mirari ('to wonder'), the same root that gives us 'miracle', 'mirror', and 'marvel'. The word entered English alongside its adjective parent, likely in the early modern period, though it has always remained a minority variant beside 'admirability'.
Related word forms
How admirableness is actually used
A formal, somewhat literary noun formed from 'admirable' + '-ness'. It is considerably less common than its synonym 'admirability', and many style-conscious writers prefer the shorter form. The word carries an unambiguously positive connotation and appears mostly in evaluative or reflective prose rather than everyday speech.
Easily confused with admirableness
Both nouns mean the quality of being admirable, but 'admirability' is the far more common and standard form in modern English, while 'admirableness' is a rarer, more formal-sounding variant.