Admire vs. Love — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 5, 2024
Admiration involves respect and high regard often based on qualities or achievements, while love is a deeper, more personal affection that typically involves a strong emotional connection.
Difference Between Admire and Love
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Admiration is usually directed towards someone's skills, achievements, or qualities, often feeling a sense of respect or awe for their abilities or successes. On the other hand, love encompasses a deeper emotional attachment that includes care, closeness, and a personal bond that goes beyond mere qualities.
You can admire someone from a distance without a personal relationship, such as a celebrity or a historical figure, based on their accomplishments or characteristics. Whereas love generally implies a personal relationship, involving intimate, profound emotions and a sense of belonging and companionship.
Admiration can be a component of love, but it does not necessarily include the personal affection and commitment that love entails. In contrast, love can encompass admiration but is defined by a deeper emotional investment and a desire for mutual support and shared experiences.
The feeling of admiration might be temporary and can change as more is learned about the admired person or as their circumstances change. However, love tends to be more enduring, withstanding changes in circumstances and deeper knowledge of the other’s flaws.
While admiration often involves looking up to someone and possibly aspiring to emulate certain traits or achievements, love involves accepting someone wholly, with all their imperfections, and often prioritizing their happiness alongside or even above one's own.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Respect and approval typically for qualities or achievements.
Deep affection and emotional connection with someone.
Relationship Type
Can be distant, not requiring personal interaction.
Involves a personal, intimate connection.
Duration
Can be fleeting or subject to change based on new information.
More stable and enduring, can last despite challenges.
Focus
On specific qualities or achievements.
On the whole person, including flaws and strengths.
Emotional Depth
Primarily cognitive, less emotional involvement.
Deep emotional investment, including care, empathy, and commitment.
Compare with Definitions
Admire
To look at with pleasure.
Visitors stopped to admire the view of the mountains.
Love
An intense feeling of deep affection.
Her love for her children was evident in everything she did.
Admire
To appreciate or praise something or someone.
The audience admired the orchestra's performance.
Love
An expression of one's affection.
She sent him a gift as a token of her love.
Admire
To hold someone in high esteem.
They admired the poet for her innovative use of language.
Love
A feeling of strong or constant affection for a person.
Their love grew stronger over the years.
Admire
To regard with respect or warm approval.
She admired the dedication of her teachers.
Love
A great interest and pleasure in something.
He has a love for painting landscapes.
Admire
To consider an example to be emulated.
He admired his grandfather's work ethic deeply.
Love
To feel a deep romantic attachment to someone.
She knew she loved him from the moment they met.
Admire
To regard with pleasure, wonder, and approval
Admired the sculptures at the art museum.
Love
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of a spouse, which differs from the love of food.
Admire
To have a high opinion of; esteem or respect
I admired her ability as a violinist.
Love
A strong feeling of affection and concern toward another person, as that arising from kinship or close friendship.
Admire
Chiefly New England & Upper Southern US To enjoy (something)
"I just admire to get letters, but I don't admire to answer them" (Dialect Notes).
Love
A feeling of devotion or adoration toward God or a god.
Admire
(Archaic) To marvel or wonder at.
Love
A feeling of kindness or concern by God or a god toward humans.
Admire
To marvel at something. Often used with at.
Love
Often Love(Christianity) Charity.
Admire
To be amazed at; to view with surprise; to marvel at.
Love
An instance of being in love
Teenage loves can be as fleeting as they are intense.
Admire
(transitive) To regard with wonder and delight.
Love
A person for whom one has strong feelings of affection
She met her new love at the restaurant.
Admire
(transitive) To look upon with an elevated feeling of pleasure, as something which calls out approbation, esteem, love or reverence.
Love
Used as a term of endearment for such a person.
Admire
(transitive) To estimate or value highly; to hold in high esteem.
To admire a person of high moral worth
He had always admired the work ethos and family values of his friend.
To admire a landscape
Love
An intense emotional attachment to something, as to a pet or treasured object.
Admire
To regard with wonder or astonishment; to view with surprise; to marvel at.
Examples rather to be admired than imitated.
Love
An expression of one's affection
Send him my love.
Admire
To regard with wonder and delight; to look upon with an elevated feeling of pleasure, as something which calls out approbation, esteem, love, or reverence; to estimate or prize highly; as, to admire a person of high moral worth, to admire a landscape.
Admired as heroes and as gods obeyed.
Love
A strong predilection or enthusiasm
A love of language.
Love for the game of golf.
Admire
To wonder; to marvel; to be affected with surprise; - sometimes with at.
To wonder at Pharaoh, and even admire at myself.
Love
The object of such an enthusiasm
The outdoors is her greatest love.
Admire
Feel admiration for
Love
Love(Mythology) Eros or Cupid.
Admire
Look at with admiration
Love
(Sports) A score of zero, as in tennis.
Love
To feel love for (a person)
We love our parents. I love my friends.
Love
To feel devotion to (God or a god).
Love
To feel or show kindness or concern to (a person). Used of God or a god.
Love
To have an intense emotional attachment to
Loves his house.
Love
To embrace or caress
They were loving each other on the sofa.
Love
To like or desire enthusiastically
Loves swimming.
Love
To thrive on; need
The cactus loves hot, dry air.
Love
(uncountable) A deep caring for the existence of another.
Love
(uncountable) Strong affection.
Love
A profound and caring affection towards someone.
A mother’s love is not easily shaken.
My husband’s love is the most important thing in my life.
Love
Affectionate, benevolent concern or care for other people or beings, and for their well-being.
Love
A feeling of intense attraction towards someone.
I have never been in love as much as I have with you.
Love
A deep or abiding liking for something; an enthusiasm for something.
My love of cricket knows no bounds.
Love
(countable) A person who is the object of romantic feelings; a darling, a sweetheart, a beloved.
Love
A term of friendly address, regardless of feelings.
Hello love, how can I help you?
Love
A thing, activity, etc. which is the object of one's deep liking or enthusiasm.
Love
An instance or episode of being in love; a love affair.
Love
Used as the closing, before the signature, of a letter, especially between good friends or family members, or by the young.
Love
(obsolete) A thin silk material.
Love
A climbing plant, Clematis vitalba.
Love
Zero, no score.
So that’s fifteen-love to Kournikova.
Love
Nothing; no recompense.
Love
To have a strong affection for (someone or something).
I love my spouse.
I love you!
I love that song!
Love
(transitive) To need, thrive on.
Mold loves moist, dark places.
Love
(transitive) To be strongly inclined towards something; an emphatic form of like.
I love walking barefoot on wet grass;
I'd love to join the team;
I love what you've done with your hair
Love
To care deeply about, to be dedicated to (someone or something).
Love
(transitive) To derive delight from a fact or situation.
I love the fact that the coffee shop now offers fat-free chai latte.
Love
A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters.
Of all the dearest bonds we proveThou countest sons' and mothers' loveMost sacred, most Thine own.
Love
Courtship; - chiefly in the phrase to make love, i. e., to court, to woo, to solicit union in marriage.
Demetrius . . . Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena,And won her soul.
Love
Due gratitude and reverence to God.
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Love
The object of affection; - often employed in endearing address; as, he held his love in his arms; his greatest love was reading.
Open the temple gates unto my love.
Love
Cupid, the god of love; sometimes, Venus.
Such was his form as painters, when they showTheir utmost art, on naked Lores bestow.
Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw Love.
Love
A thin silk stuff.
Love
A climbing species of Clematis (Clematis Vitalba).
Love
Nothing; no points scored on one side; - used in counting score at tennis, etc.
He won the match by three sets to love.
Love
To have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to love one's God.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.
Love
To take delight or pleasure in; to have a strong liking or desire for, or interest in; to be pleased with; to like; as, to love books; to love adventures.
Wit, eloquence, and poetry.Arts which I loved.
Love
To have the feeling of love; to be in love.
Love
A strong positive emotion of regard and affection;
His love for his work
Children need a lot of love
Love
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Love
A beloved person; used as terms of endearment
Love
A score of zero in tennis or squash;
It was 40 love
Love
Have a great affection or liking for;
I love French food
She loves her boss and works hard for him
Love
Get pleasure from;
I love cooking
Love
Be enamored or in love with;
She loves her husband deeply
Common Curiosities
How do cultural differences impact admiration and love?
Cultural norms can influence how people express and prioritize admiration and love, affecting relationships and social interactions.
Is it possible to love someone without admiring them?
Yes, love can exist without admiration, particularly in close relationships where affection is based on more than just admirable qualities.
Can admiration turn into love?
Yes, admiration can evolve into love as individuals grow closer and develop a deeper emotional bond.
What are some common expressions of admiration and love?
Admiration is often expressed through compliments and accolades, while love is expressed through actions like spending time together and providing emotional support.
How do admiration and love affect personal development?
Admiration can motivate individuals to aspire to certain traits or achievements, while love can provide a supportive environment for personal growth.
Are there risks associated with admiration and love?
Both can lead to disappointment or emotional distress if the feelings are not reciprocated or if the relationship changes.
How should one express admiration without leading to misunderstandings about romantic intentions?
Clear communication about the nature of one's feelings and maintaining appropriate boundaries can help manage expectations.
What are the psychological effects of experiencing admiration and love?
Both can boost self-esteem and happiness, but love tends to have a deeper impact on emotional well-being.
How can one differentiate between admiration and love in a relationship?
Analyzing the depth of emotional attachment and the reasons for affection can help differentiate between admiration and love.
What can cause admiration or love to diminish?
Changes in behavior, betrayal of trust, or significant alterations in admired qualities can diminish these feelings.
What role does admiration play in romantic relationships?
Admiration can enhance a romantic relationship by fostering respect and mutual appreciation.
Can love exist in professional relationships?
While professional relationships typically focus on admiration or respect, close professional bonds can develop into forms of love based on deep trust and mutual care.
How do admiration and love influence decision-making?
Both can influence choices, but love often has a stronger impact, affecting decisions about personal commitments and priorities.
Is admiration more socially acceptable than love in certain contexts?
Yes, in professional or formal settings, admiration is generally more appropriate and expected than expressions of personal love.
How does the expression of admiration and love change over time?
As relationships evolve, expressions of admiration and love may become more nuanced, reflecting deeper understanding and commitment.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
