What does admiring mean?
'Admiring' describes the act or expression of respect, approval, and pleasure directed at someone or something. It most often appears as an adjective modifying nouns such as 'glance,' 'gaze,' 'audience,' or 'comments,' as in 'an admiring crowd gathered around the winning team.' The word can also serve as the present participle of the verb 'admire,' allowing constructions like 'the students stood admiring the mural.' Its connotations are consistently warm and positive, implying genuine esteem rather than mere politeness — one might be admiring of a colleague's skill, a friend's courage, or a work of art's beauty. Derived from the Latin 'mirari,' meaning 'to wonder at,' it shares deep roots with words like 'miracle' and 'marvel,' reminding us that admiration begins in wonder. Common synonyms include appreciative, approving, and respectful; its opposites include disdainful and dismissive.
Feeling or showing respect, approval, and pleasure in someone or something.
"The novel was greeted by admiring reviews on both sides of the Atlantic."
Typically used attributively before nouns like glance, gaze, audience, or remarks.
Present participle of 'admire': regarding someone or something with respect, approval, or pleasure.
"They spent the afternoon admiring the architecture of the old cathedral."
Every time you say 'admiring,' you're echoing the Latin word for wonder — the same root that gave us 'miracle' and 'mirror.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of admiring
'Admiring' derives from the verb 'admire,' which entered English in the late 16th century from French 'admirer,' itself from Latin 'admirari,' meaning 'to wonder at' — a combination of 'ad-' (toward) and 'mirari' (to wonder). The root 'mirari' also produced Latin 'mirus' (wonderful), which gives English such cognates as 'miracle,' 'mirror,' 'marvel,' and 'mirage.' In earlier English usage, 'admire' could simply mean 'to wonder or be astonished,' but over time the sense narrowed to express approval and esteem, with 'admiring' following suit as both participle and adjective.
Related word forms
How admiring is actually used
'Admiring' functions as the present participle of the verb 'admire' as well as a standalone adjective. It carries a warm, positive connotation and appears frequently in descriptions of audiences, gazes, glances, and remarks. It is neutral in register, fitting comfortably in both formal and informal contexts.
Easily confused with admiring
While both express positive regard, 'adoring' conveys deep love and affection (often romantic or parental), whereas 'admiring' expresses respect and approval for someone's qualities or achievements.