'admirable' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'admirabilis,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'mirari' meant 'to wonder at.'

'admirabilis' transformed into the Old French word 'admirable,' and eventually became the modern English word 'admirable' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'worthy of admiration,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.