WordGarden.ioambition
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /æmbˈɪʃən/
US
- /æmˈbɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
a strong desire and determination to succeed or achieve something important
a specific goal or thing someone hopes to achieve
Beyond the definition
Ambition isn't just wanting something – it's wanting it strongly enough to chase it, with a steady drive to achieve it. Think of a tiny seed pushing through concrete to reach the sunlight; that's ambition in action. It can be a personal goal, like learning a new skill, or a grander vision, like becoming a doctor or starting your own business. Sometimes we even use ambition to mean the goal itself: "Her ambition was to run her own company." Ambition is often celebrated as a positive trait, fueling innovation and progress. But unchecked ambition – a relentless pursuit of power at any cost – can lead to trouble, as seen in many dramatic stories. Shakespeare's Macbeth is a classic example of how ambition can corrupt even the noblest souls.
Ambition is a strong desire and determination to achieve something important, often linked to success. It's more than just a wish; it's an internal force that motivates you to work hard, overcome obstacles, and strive for something greater. It often involves setting goals – both big and small – and dedicating yourself to reaching them.
Historically, ambition was sometimes viewed with suspicion, seen as potentially leading to arrogance or ruthlessness. However, in modern society, it's generally considered a positive quality, essential for personal growth and societal advancement. We admire ambitious entrepreneurs who build successful companies, scientists who push the boundaries of knowledge, and artists who create inspiring works.
Ambition can manifest in many ways. It might be a quiet, internal drive to excel in your chosen field, or it could be a more public display of striving for recognition and power. It's important to distinguish between healthy ambition – which is balanced with integrity and empathy – and unhealthy ambition that prioritizes success above all else.
Ambition can also refer to the specific thing you're aiming for – an ambition. You can talk about "career ambitions," "political ambitions," or "an ambition to travel the world," and you can describe someone as ambitious when they consistently set and pursue demanding goals.
You can have ambition (a general feeling), show ambition (demonstrating your drive through actions), or be driven by ambition (letting it motivate you). For example: "Her ambition to become a lawyer fueled years of hard work," or "He showed little ambition for anything beyond his comfort zone."
Ultimately, ambition is the engine that drives us forward – but like any powerful force, it needs to be guided with wisdom and purpose.
Examples
- 1
Starting business
She has the ambition to start her own business one day.
- 2
Childhood dream
As a child, his biggest ambition was to become a pilot.
- 3
Company plans
The company has ambitions to expand into Asia next year.
- Patternhave ambitions to do X
have serious plans or hopes to do it
- 4
Leadership
He is talented, but he lacks the ambition to lead a large team.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Political career
Her political ambition became obvious when she started speaking at every public event.
- 6
Motivation
Driven by ambition, he worked late almost every night.
- Phrasedriven by ambition
strongly motivated by the desire to succeed
- 7
Personal values
There is nothing wrong with ambition, but it can cause problems if it becomes more important than other people.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- hunger
- careerism
- motivation
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- personal ambition
- political ambition
- burning ambition
- ambition to succeed
Word family
Explore
- goal setting
- achievement motivation
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- ambitionnounverb
Forms
- ambitionspluralnounverb