What does esteem mean?
Esteem refers to the respect and admiration felt for someone on account of their qualities, achievements, or character. As a noun, it most commonly appears in the phrase 'to be held in high esteem' or its opposite 'held in low esteem', indicating the level of regard a person commands. As a verb, it means both to admire deeply and, in an older, more formal usage, to consider or judge something in a particular way. The word derives from Latin aestimare, meaning to value or appraise — the same root that gave us 'estimate' — so to esteem someone is, at root, to rate them highly. In modern psychology, 'self-esteem' denotes a person's overall sense of their own worth, making the word central to discussions of mental health and confidence. Formal rather than casual in tone, esteem conveys genuine, considered admiration and remains especially common in writing, professional settings, and ceremonial language.
Respect and admiration, typically for a person or their qualities.
"The professor was held in high esteem throughout the academic community."
Most often found in the phrases 'high esteem' and 'low esteem', frequently with the verbs 'hold' or 'be held in'.
To respect and admire someone greatly; also, more formally or archaically, to consider or judge something in a particular way.
"Her peers esteemed her as one of the finest surgeons in the country."
Rarely used in the plural. 'Esteem' is normally uncountable when referring to respect; the plural form appears only in older or very formal contexts referring to individual acts or expressions of regard.
"Please accept the assurances of my highest esteems. (dated, epistolary)"
The word 'esteem' shares its Latin root with 'estimate' — so when you esteem someone, you are literally 'pricing them up', and finding them priceless.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of esteem
Esteem entered English in the early 16th century from French estimer, which itself came from Latin aestimare, meaning to value, appraise, or estimate. This same Latin root produced 'estimate', 'estimation', and 'estimable', making them close cognates within English. Over time, the concrete sense of assigning monetary value shifted toward the abstract valuation of a person's worth, giving rise to today's meaning of respectful admiration.
Related word forms
How esteem is actually used
'Esteem' carries a notably formal register compared with everyday words like 'respect'. It appears most often in written English, formal speeches, and fixed phrases such as 'held in high esteem' and the psychological term 'self-esteem'. The sense of 'to consider or judge' (as in 'I esteem it necessary') is now largely literary or dated.
Easily confused with esteem
An estimate is a rough calculation or judgement of a value or quantity, whereas esteem refers to respect and admiration for a person.
To esteem something is to regard it highly; to estimate something is to calculate its approximate value.