Admiration vs Regard

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Admiration

Top 2,000 (common)

Regard

Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
 AdmirationRegard
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˌæd.mɪˈreɪ.ʃən//🇺🇸 //ˌæd.məˈreɪ.ʃən//🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/"]/
MeaningA feeling of great respect and approval.To think about someone or something in a certain way.
ExampleHer admiration for the artist was evident in her glowing review.Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-B2
Part of speechverb
Collocationsexpress admiration, gain admiration, feel admiration, win admiration, show admirationhighly, well, generally, appear to, seem to, tend to, as, with, steadily, intently, curiously, continue to, with
Antonyms-disregard, neglect, disdain
Common mistakesConfused with 'admire' - using it as a verb instead of a noun., Incorrectly using it in negative contexts, as admiration is generally positive.Confused with 'regards' when closing emails., Using 'regard' without an object (it's typically used with one)., Confusing it with 'regard as' and misplacing the subject.
Usage notesUsed to express respect for someone's qualities or achievements. Typically positive and appropriate in formal and informal contexts.Used to express opinion or feeling towards someone or something. Often used in both written and spoken English. May not be suitable in very casual conversations.

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Admiration
Regard

Frequently asked questions: Admiration vs Regard

What's the difference between Admiration and Regard?

Admiration: A feeling of great respect and approval. Regard: To think about someone or something in a certain way.

Can you show an example of each?

Admiration: Her admiration for the artist was evident in her glowing review. Regard: Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right.

Can I use Admiration and Regard interchangeably?

Not always. Admiration and Regard 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.

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