1. To regard with pleasure, wonder, and approval: "The little girl is admired for her courage."
2. To have a high opinion of; to esteem or to respect: "We are still admiring the way he handled the situation."

To admire a person means literally to wonder at him or her.

3. Respecting and approving of a person or his or her behavior.
4. Finding someone or something attractive and pleasant to look at.