What is admirable? Pronunciation and usage in English

admirable means . Learn how to pronounce and use admirable through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of admirable

admirableadjective

/ˈædmərəbl//ˈædmərəbl/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "admirable" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic symbols and a helpful description:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ædˈmɪrəbl̩/

Breakdown:

  • æ - This is the "a" sound in "cat" or "bad." It’s a short, front vowel.
  • d - Pronounced as in "dog."
  • ˈmɪ – This is the stressed syllable.
    • m - Pronounced as in "mom."
    • ɪ – This is the "i" sound in "bit."
  • r – A quick, light "r" sound, almost like a tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth. Don’t overemphasize it.
  • ə - This is a schwa sound - the most common vowel sound in English. It's a very short, neutral vowel, like the "a" in "about."
  • b – Pronounced as in "boy"
  • l - Pronounced as in "love."

How to Say It (Step-by-Step):

  1. Start with "ad": Say “ad” with the “a” sound like in "cat".
  2. Add “mir”: Say “mir” – “m” followed by the short “i” sound like in “bit”.
  3. Add “a”: Say “a”, the “a” in “father”
  4. Add “ble”: Say "ble", with a short “uh” sound like in “about”. (This is where the schwa sound comes in)

Putting it together:

"ad-MIR-uh-bull" (think of it as blending the sounds smoothly)

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable (“mir”). This is important for correct pronunciation.
  • Light ‘r’: Don’t make the "r" sound strong and rolled. It's a quick tap.
  • Schwa: Get comfortable with the schwa sound; it's very common in English.

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Google: Just search "how to pronounce admirable" on Google, and you’ll find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/admirable/ – This website has native speakers pronounce the word.

Would you like me to:

  • Break down any specific part of the pronunciation further?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "admirable"?

Usage and examples with the word admirable in English

Let's break down how to use the word "admirable" effectively in English. It's a versatile word, but it's important to use it correctly to convey the right nuance.

1. Core Meaning:

"Admirable" means deserving of respect and approval; worthy of admiration. It describes something that impresses you because of its excellence, virtue, or courage.

2. How to Use It – Different Contexts:

  • Describing People: This is probably the most common usage.

    • Example: "Her dedication to her patients is truly admirable." (She's doing something really good and deserving praise)
    • Example: “He showed admirable courage in the face of danger.” (He was brave and heroic)
    • Example: “It’s admirable to see someone work so hard to achieve their goals.” (Their effort is noteworthy and inspiring)

  • Describing Actions or Qualities: You can use it to describe a behavior or characteristic.

    • Example: "The resilience of the community after the disaster was admirable." (Their ability to recover was impressive)
    • Example: “Her honesty and integrity are admirable qualities.” (These qualities deserve respect.)
    • Example: “The architects designed a building of exceptional beauty – it’s an admirable feat of engineering.” (The engineering is wonderful and impressive)

  • Describing Things (Less Common, but Possible): While it’s more frequently used for people, it can be used for objects or concepts, though it's less common and often sounds a bit formal.

    • Example: “The precision of the watchmaking is admirable.” (The detail is impressive)
    • Example: “It’s admirable to strive for knowledge and understanding.” (The pursuit of knowledge is something to be praised)

3. Key Considerations – Tone and Nuance:

  • Formal vs. Informal: "Admirable" leans toward the more formal side of language. In very casual conversation, you might use words like "impressive," "wonderful," or "amazing" instead.

  • Intensity: "Admirable" suggests a genuine sense of respect and approval. It’s stronger than simply saying something is “good” or “nice.”

  • Often paired with “truly” or “really”: Adding words like “truly” or “really” can strengthen the feeling you're conveying. “Truly admirable” is more emphatic than “admirable.”

4. Common Phrases & Comparisons:

  • "A remarkable example of..." – "A remarkable example of admirable leadership."
  • "It's a testament to..." – "It's a testament to her admirable perseverance."

5. Words that are similar but have slightly different shades of meaning:

  • Impressive: Focuses on causing a strong effect on someone.
  • Excellent: Highlights quality and skill.
  • Wonderful: Expresses delight and admiration.
  • Honorable: Specifically refers to moral virtue.
  • Courageous: Relates to bravery.

Example Sentence Showcase:

  • “The volunteer’s admirable kindness made a huge difference in the lives of the residents.”
  • “His admirable patience as a teacher is a gift to his students.”
  • “The country’s commitment to environmental protection is admirable.”

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "admirable" in? (e.g., writing an essay, talking to a friend, describing a situation?)

Synonyms for the word admirable

Practice with vocabulary admirable

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Her unwavering commitment to ethical leadership, even under pressure, is truly __________.
  2. The company's new sustainability initiative reflects a genuine effort to reduce its environmental impact, which is highly __________.
  3. Despite the technical challenges, the engineering team developed an __________ solution that significantly cut production costs.
  4. For effective communication in a professional setting, it is important to use clear and __________ language, avoiding jargon whenever possible.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following describes a quality that evokes deep respect and approval? A) Indifferent B) Mediocre C) Admirable D) Trivial E) Praiseworthy

  2. A manager who consistently demonstrates exceptional problem-solving skills and a strong moral compass would be considered to have a/an __________ character. A) commendable B) questionable C) admirable D) flawed

  3. Which of these traits would you expect from a highly esteemed and respected professional in a leadership role? A) A lack of accountability B) An impressive work ethic C) An admirable dedication to their team D) Consistent procrastination

  4. Before presenting the findings, the research team ensured that all statistical data was __________ and accurately represented. A) ambiguous B) negligible C) precise D) fabricated

  5. The project manager delivered a __________ presentation, clearly outlining the strategic objectives and projected outcomes. A) rambling B) coherent C) disjointed D) confusing

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: She completes her tasks with such a high level of dedication and skill that she earns everyone's respect. Rewrite: (Use an adverb form of "admirable")

  2. Original: The way the organization managed to overcome significant budget cuts while still achieving its goals was very impressive. Rewrite: (Use "admirable")

  3. Original: It is very important to strictly adhere to the safety protocols outlined in the company handbook. Rewrite: (Replace "very important" with a single, more formal adjective)

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Her unwavering commitment to ethical leadership, even under pressure, is truly admirable.
  2. The company's new sustainability initiative reflects a genuine effort to reduce its environmental impact, which is highly admirable.
  3. Despite the technical challenges, the engineering team developed an innovative solution that significantly cut production costs.
  4. For effective communication in a professional setting, it is important to use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon whenever possible.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) Admirable, E) Praiseworthy
  2. A) commendable, C) admirable
  3. B) An impressive work ethic, C) An admirable dedication to their team
  4. C) precise
  5. B) coherent

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. She completes her tasks admirably due to her high level of dedication and skill.
  2. The organization demonstrated admirable management in overcoming significant budget cuts while still achieving its goals.
  3. It is imperative to strictly adhere to the safety protocols outlined in the company handbook.

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