Cool MateAdmiration vs Appreciation
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Admiration
Top 2,000 (common)
Appreciation
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
| Admiration | Appreciation | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˌæd.mɪˈreɪ.ʃən//🇺🇸 //ˌæd.məˈreɪ.ʃən// | 🇬🇧 /["/əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | A feeling of great respect and approval. | Feeling thankful or valuing something. |
| Example | Her admiration for the artist was evident in her glowing review. | Her appreciation for classical music grew after taking a piano lesson. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | express admiration, gain admiration, feel admiration, win admiration, show admiration | deep, great, real, have, share, show, in appreciation, appreciation for, appreciation of, better, clear, deep, have, gain, appreciation of, deep, genuine, heartfelt, express, show, extend, in appreciation (of), with appreciation, appreciation for, a lack of appreciation, a token of your appreciation |
| Antonyms | - | disregard, disrespect, indifference |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'admire' - using it as a verb instead of a noun., Incorrectly using it in negative contexts, as admiration is generally positive. | Confused with 'appreciate' as a verb., Incorrectly used in plural form as 'appreciations'., Using it without a specific object (should be 'appreciation of art'). |
| Usage notes | Used to express respect for someone's qualities or achievements. Typically positive and appropriate in formal and informal contexts. | Use 'appreciation' when talking about recognizing the worth of someone or something. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but may feel a bit formal in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Admiration vs Appreciation
What's the difference between Admiration and Appreciation?
Admiration: A feeling of great respect and approval. Appreciation: Feeling thankful or valuing something.
Can you show an example of each?
Admiration: Her admiration for the artist was evident in her glowing review. Appreciation: Her appreciation for classical music grew after taking a piano lesson.
Can I use Admiration and Appreciation interchangeably?
Not always. Admiration and Appreciation are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.