2 syllables: Ad, mire. Stress on mire.
ad-MEYER
/æˈdmaɪɹ/
Admire is pronounced ad-MEYER (/æˈdmaɪɹ/). It has two syllables (Ad-mire), with the stress on "mire". Admire is a verb meaning to regard with respect or approval, often with warmth or admiration for someone or something; to look up to and feel wonder toward. It can also mean to regard with pleasure or delight. The sense emphasizes high regard rather than mere noticing, and applies to people, achievements, or beauty. (2-4 sentences, 50-80 words max.).
verbAdmire is a verb meaning to regard with respect or approval, often with warmth or admiration for someone or something; to look up to and feel wonder toward. It can also mean to regard with pleasure or delight. The sense emphasizes high regard rather than mere noticing, and applies to people, achievements, or beauty. (2-4 sentences, 50-80 words max.)
How to Pronounce Admire
"I admire her dedication to charity work."
"People admire the architect's innovative designs."
"We admire the way you handled the situation with calm restraint."
Pronounce as /ədˈmaɪər/ (US/UK) with two stressed syllables: ad-MYER. Start with a soft, unstressed initial schwa, then the stressed /maɪ/ like 'my', and finish with a relaxed /ər/ or /ə/ depending on accent. In careful speech, you can hear: uhD-MYER; You can listen to native examples on Pronounce or Forvo for accuracy. Remember the emphasis sits on the second syllable: maɪ.
Two common errors: (1) pronouncing it as ad-MI-er with the /ɪ/ as in sit; correct to /maɪ/ as in my. (2) Skipping the final schwa, ending as /-maɪər/ rather than /-maɪər/ with a clearer final syllable; ensure the /ər/ is light and not a full /ɜːr/ in non-rhotic accents. Tip: practice ad-MY-yer with a light, quick final.
US and UK both use /ədˈmaɪər/ with rhoticity less pronounced in UK but final /ɪə/ vs /ər/; US tends to a clearer rhotacized final /ər/ in many speakers. Australian English typically retains /əˈmaɪə/ or /ədˈmaɪə/ with a more centralized or reduced final vowel; tempo is a bit slower and gliding from /ə/ to /ɪə/ depending on speaker. Overall, main difference lies in final r-coloring and vowel quality; practice with IPA references to verify.
The challenge lies in blending the unstressed first syllable with the stressed /maɪ/ and the trailing /ər/. The diphthong /aɪ/ requires precise tongue height and a quick glide into the schwa-like ending; several speakers misplace the stress or overly emphasize the first syllable. Slow, careful articulation coordinating jaw and lip positions helps; then practice rapid linking to natural speech.
Remember the word’s core sound is the long /aɪ/ in the second syllable; enunciate ad-MY-er with the second syllable carrying the primary stress. Keep the final /ɚ/ or /ə/ light and quick so the word sounds lively rather than heavy. In careful speech, you’ll hear a crisp though soft ending; in casual speech the ending may be almost a neutral /ə/.
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Admire comes from the Latin admirāre, meaning to marvel at, wonder at, or look up to. Admirāre is formed from the prefix ad- (toward) and mirārī (to wonder, marvel). The sense evolved from “to marvel at someone” to broader “to regard with esteem” in Late Latin and Old French, then into English by the 14th century. Historically, admiratio in Latin captured both astonishment and respect; by Middle English, admire shifted toward appreciative regard for beauty or virtue, not only astonishment. Over time, the verb picked up a more everyday sense of praising or respecting someone’s actions or qualities, while preserving the nuance of a thoughtful, favorable appraisal. The term often appears in literary contexts to express admiration for character, genius, or achievement; in modern usage, it frequently appears in personal praise and evaluative statements about others’ talents or circumstances.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Admire" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Admire" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Admire"
-ire sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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