Etymologically
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esteem

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 13:50. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɪˈstiːm/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English estemen, borrowed from Middle French estimer (“to estimate, value”),[2][3][4][5][6] from Latin aestimō (“to value, appraise”), of unknown origin;[2][3][5] Etymonline mentions a guess that it meant one who cuts copper, which de Vaan finds hardly credible.[3] It is a doublet of aim and estimate.[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The noun, account or worth: before 1338, as steem, in Mannyng's Chronicle.[2][3] The verb, to estimate the value of: before 1410.[2]

Semantic evolution

The verb was at first used as estimate is now;[3][6] the sense to value or respect is first recorded in 1530, in Palsgrave.[2][7][3] To consider or deem is from the 16th century.[4] The noun's sense of high regard is first recorded in 1611, in the preface to the King James Bible.[2][7][3] Estimable is from the 16th century.[4]

Timeline

  • before 1338 – steem, worth (noun).[2]
  • before 1410 – to estimate (verb).[2]
  • 1530 – to value, respect.[2][7]
  • 1588 – an opinion.[7]
  • 1611 – high regard.[2][7]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To have great respect or regard for: to esteem a colleague.
  2. (formal) To consider or deem.

Noun

  1. High regard; respect.
  2. (archaic) Judgement; opinion.

Word family

  • disesteem
  • estimable
  • misesteem
  • self-esteem

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press