Etymology Map
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Admire

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to regard with respect or warm approval

Where does the word "admire" come from? It comes from Latin admirari, passing through Old French before entering English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
admirari
Latin · ancient
"to wonder at"
'ad-', at, plus 'mirari', to wonder; the root of 'miracle' and 'mirror'
2
Stage 2 of 3
admirer
Old French · medieval
"to marvel at"
used for astonishment before it meant approval
3
Stage 3 of 3
admire
English · 1590s
"to regard with respect"
first meant simply to be amazed, good or bad; it first appears around 1429 in the 'Mirour of Mans Saluacioune', an English translation of a Latin devotional work
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Read the full story

Admire’s story begins in Latin: admirari meant “to wonder at.” 'ad-', at, plus 'mirari', to wonder; the root of 'miracle' and 'mirror'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as admirer. Used for astonishment before it meant approval. It reached English by 1590s as admire. First meant simply to be amazed, good or bad; it first appears around 1429 in the 'Mirour of Mans Saluacioune', an English translation of a Latin devotional work. Today, admire means to regard with respect or warm approval.