admiral

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A very senior officer of the highest rank in a navy, who commands a fleet or the whole naval force.

   Grammar: A countable noun; use 'an admiral' for one person and 'admirals' for several.

   Patterns

   • Admiral + name
   • be promoted to admiral
   • a fleet admiral

   The admiral ordered the fleet to return to port.

   She was promoted to admiral after thirty years at sea.

   Admiral Nelson is one of Britain's most famous naval commanders.

2. 2nouncountablebiology

   A butterfly with dark wings marked with white or red bands, common in gardens and fields.

   Grammar: Countable and usually used with 'red' or 'white' to name the species.

   Patterns

   • a red admiral
   • a white admiral

   A red admiral landed on the buddleia by the gate.

   We counted three admirals during the garden survey.

Word forms

Common combinations

rear admiral

He served as a rear admiral before taking command of the fleet.

fleet admiral

Only a few officers have ever held the rank of fleet admiral.

admiral of the fleet

The ceremony was led by the admiral of the fleet.

red admiral

A red admiral rested on the warm stone wall.

promote someone to admiral

The president promoted him to admiral last spring.

Synonyms and how they differ

commander

A more general word for an officer in charge; it covers many ranks and services, while 'admiral' is specifically the top naval rank.

captain

A much lower naval rank than admiral; a captain commands one ship, an admiral commands a fleet.

Word family

admiralty noun

The government department or court that controls a country's navy.

admiralty law noun

The branch of law dealing with ships and the sea.

Commonly confused: admiral or admirable? admiral or admiration?

Practice

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