Meaning & use
someone to admire
Last updated
UK/ˌsʌmwʌn tʊ ədˈmaɪə/
US/ˌsʌmwʌn tə ədˈmaɪər/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
a person you respect and look up to because of their good qualities or achievements
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; often after 'is' or 'need'.
Patterns
- someone to admire
- find someone to admire
- be someone to admire
My grandmother is someone to admire because she raised five children alone.
After the speech, many students said the speaker was someone to admire.
It is good for children to have someone to admire.
Common combinations
- a good example to follow
- She is a good example to follow for young athletes.
- look up to someone
- Many young players look up to the captain.
- a role model
- Teachers are often role models for their students.
Synonyms and how they differ
- role model
- A role model is a person whose behavior others copy; 'someone to admire' is broader and focuses on respect.
- hero
- A hero is admired for brave or great acts; 'someone to admire' can be for quieter qualities too.
Word family
- admire verb
- to respect and like someone or something
- admirable adjective
- deserving respect and approval
- admiration noun
- a feeling of respect and approval
Practice
Which sentence uses 'someone to admire' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is 'someone to admire' with the infinitive 'to admire'. The other options use the wrong verb form.
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