admirable

adjective

ad·​mi·​ra·​ble ˈad-m(ə-)rə-bəl 

1

: deserving the highest esteem : excellent

an admirable achievement

2

obsolete : exciting wonder : surprising

admirability

ˌad-m(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

admirableness

ˈad-m(ə-)rə-bəl-nəs 

noun

admirably

ˈad-m(ə-)rə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of admirable

• meritorious
• worthy
• excellent
• commendable
• laudable
• impressive
• praiseworthy
• awesome

Examples of admirable in a Sentence

Loyalty was her most admirable quality.

it's admirable the way she helps her elderly neighbor with chores and errands every Saturday

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, Adult Braces isn’t about the birth of an unusual admirable romantic relationship. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026

Absurdly funny and grounded by two appealing stars (even if their characters are less than admirable) the show is a surprising delight. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026

The scouting department and international presence is admirable. —Greg Cote updated March 27, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

Nini makes an admirable attempt here, but again Ru’s character is playing against rather than with her to such a degree that, as in all these segments, things just devolve into screaming overtop each other. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English admyrable, borrowed from Anglo-French admirable, borrowed from Latin admīrābilis, from admīrārī "to admire" + -bilis "capable (of acting or being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

admirable

adjective

ad·​mi·​ra·​ble ˌad-mə-rə-bəl 

-mrə-bəl

: deserving to be admired : excellent

admirableness noun

admirably

-blē 

adverb