admirable

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Word Origin & History

admirable

1590s, from Fr. admirable (O.Fr. amirable), from L. admirabilem, from admirari "to admire" (see admiration). In early years it also carried a stronger sense of "awe-inspiring.

Example sentences

We may not agree on this point but your approach is admirable.

It's an arduous and admirable feat that requires a huge amount of discipline

and drive.

For instance, the hairy mammoth seems to have been an admirable animal,

intelligent and well-accoutered.

We have an admirable democracy, but it is not the only possible democracy and

not always the best possible democracy.

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contemptible Crichton despicable estimable excellent fine

Matching Quote

"There is a certain kind of person who is so dominated by the desire to be loved for himself alone that he has constantly to test those around him by tiresome behavior; what he says and does must be admired, not because it is intrinsically admirable, but because it is his remark, his act. Does not this explain a good deal of avant-garde art?"

-W.H. Auden