Admire vs Like pot

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

Admire

Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb

Like pot

InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: AdmireMost common: Admire
 AdmireLike pot
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ədˈmaɪə(r)/","/ədˈmaɪəz/","/ədˈmaɪəd/","/ədˈmaɪərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ədˈmaɪər/","/ədˈmaɪərz/","/ədˈmaɪərd/","/ədˈmaɪərɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //laɪk pɒt//🇺🇸 //laɪk pɑt//
MeaningTo think highly of someone or something and appreciate their qualities.Enjoy something or find it appealing.
ExampleI really admire her dedication to her work.I really like pot when it's filled with stew.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsdeeply, enormously, greatly, have to, about, for, be generally admired, be widely admired, can’t help admiring, pause to, stop to, stand back tolike potluck, like potpourri, like pot stew
Antonymsdespise, disdain, scorn-
Common mistakesConfused with 'admiration' as a verb., Incorrectly using 'admire' without an object., Using 'admire' inappropriately in casual contexts.Confusing with 'like' as a filler word in speech., Omitting the object after 'like' (e.g., saying 'I like' instead of 'I like pot')., Incorrectly assuming it refers only to marijuana in some contexts.
Usage notesUse 'admire' when you want to express respect or approval for someone or something. It is appropriate in both spoken and written English, but might come across as less common in very casual conversations.This expression is often used in casual conversations to express enjoyment or admiration for something. It can be used in various contexts but is not suitable for formal writing or discussions.

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Like pot

Frequently asked questions: Admire vs Like pot

What's the difference between Admire and Like pot?

Admire: To think highly of someone or something and appreciate their qualities. Like pot: Enjoy something or find it appealing.

Which is more formal: Admire and Like pot?

Admire is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Admire and Like pot?

Admire is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Admire: I really admire her dedication to her work. Like pot: I really like pot when it's filled with stew.

Can I use Admire and Like pot interchangeably?

Not always. Admire and Like pot 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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