4 syllables: Ad, mi, ra, ble. Stress on Ad.
AD-mir-uh-buhl
/ˈæd.mɪ.ɹə.bəl/
Admirable is pronounced AD-mir-uh-buhl (/ˈæd.mɪ.ɹə.bəl/). It has four syllables (Ad-mi-ra-ble), with the stress on "Ad". Admirable is an adjective meaning deserving of praise or respect due to worthy qualities or achievements. It denotes qualities that inspire approval, admiration, or honor in others, often highlighting moral or commendable characteristics. In everyday use, it characterizes actions, behavior, or individuals that stand out positively and are worth admiring.
nounAdmirable is an adjective meaning deserving of praise or respect due to worthy qualities or achievements. It denotes qualities that inspire approval, admiration, or honor in others, often highlighting moral or commendable characteristics. In everyday use, it characterizes actions, behavior, or individuals that stand out positively and are worth admiring.
How to Pronounce Admirable
"Her tireless dedication to helping others is truly admirable."
"The team's discipline and teamwork were admirable throughout the tournament."
"Your careful reasoning and clear explanations are admirable in a difficult discussion."
Admirable is pronounced /ˈæd.mɪ.rə.bəl/ in US English and /ˈæd.mɪ.rə.bəl/ in UK English; Australian is similar: /ˈæd.mɪ.rə.bəl/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: ADD-mi-ra-bul. Focus on the middle syllable /ɪ/ and the final schwa /ə/ followed by /bəl/. Tip: say 'AD-muh-ruh-buhl' quickly, then smooth the final 'ble' into a soft /bəl/.
Common errors include stressing the wrong syllable (often a secondary stress on the second or third syllable), pronouncing the middle vowel as a full /iː/ instead of a lax /ɪ/, and misarticulating the final /bəl/ as /bəlɪ/ or /bəl/. Correct approach: emphasize the first syllable with /æd/ as in 'cat,' keep the middle /ɪ/ sound short, and finish smoothly with /rə.bəl/ where /r/ is light and /əl/ ends with a reduced vowel. Practice by isolating /æd/ + /mɪ/ + /rə/ + /bəl/ and linking them.
In US and UK accents, the initial /æ/ remains stable as in 'cat.' The American /r/ is rhotic, pronounced before the vowel, while UK typically non-rhotic; however, /r/ in /rə/ may be softened or vocalized in some UK varieties. Australian generally rhotic with a flatter tone; the /æ/ can be broader or closer to /ə/. The final /əl/ often becomes a light schwa + dark L in US and AU, while UK can be more floated with a clearer /l/. Overall, stress remains on the first syllable in all three.
The difficulty lies in maintaining the short, lax /ɪ/ in the second syllable amid a rapid phrase and the 'ble' ending where /bəl/ can blur into /bə/ or /blə/. Additionally, keeping the strong initial stress while smoothing the sequence across four syllables can cause speakers to misplace primary stress or merge sounds. Focus on cleanly articulating /æd/ then a precise /mɪ/ followed by a quick but clear /rə/ and a final /bəl/.
A unique aspect is the 'ble' cluster at the end after a light /ə/ vowel preceding it. Learners might over-pronounce the /lə/ portion or insert an extra vowel. The target is /ə.bəl/ with a quick, almost undetermined vowel between /r/ and /b/ and a soft, compact /l/. Visualize 'ad-MIR-uh-bəl' with the 'uh' as a quick, neutral schwa and the 'bəl' as a short, airy ending.
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Admirable comes from the Latin admirabilis, meaning worthy of admiration, from admirari 'to wonder at, to admire.' The root admir- derives from ad- 'toward' + mirari 'to wonder, to look at.' In Latin, admirabilis described things worthy of admiration, often used in religious or moral praise contexts. In Medieval Latin, it broadened to describe things worthy of esteem in general. The English adoption traces to Middle English as admirable meaning capable of being admired; by Early Modern English, it carried the sense of being worthy of praise for virtue or achievement. The word’s connotations have remained largely positive, though it can be used ironically in modern colloquial speech. First known use in English literature appears in the 14th-15th centuries, aligning with the revival of classical vocabulary in scholastic and literary circles. Over time, the term has remained common in formal critique, biographical writing, and evaluative prose, often paired with adjectives like 'truly' or 'truly very' to intensify praise. Today, admirable is widely used in both spoken and written English to commend noteworthy actions, characters, or traits.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Admirable" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Admirable"
-ble sounds
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