WordGarden.ioaspire
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /əspˈaɪə/
US
- /əˈspaɪr/
Meanings
Verb
to strongly hope or aim to achieve something important
Beyond the definition
To aspire means to have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something. It's more than just wanting—it's setting your sights on a goal and working toward it, even if it seems difficult. Think of Icarus, who aspired to conquer the skies! Or consider Malala Yousafzai, who aspired to ensure that all girls have access to education. You might aspire to be a doctor, an artist, or simply a kinder person. It implies a reaching upward, toward something better.
The word often carries a sense of idealism and dedication. While you can hope for success, you aspire to achieve it through effort and determination. Sometimes, we aspire to be like someone else—admiring their qualities and striving to emulate them.
To aspire is to have a strong hope or ambition for something, often something meaningful, impressive, or hard to achieve. It's not just about wishing; it's about setting your sights on a goal and actively working toward its realization. The word comes from the Latin aspirare, meaning "to breathe upon"—suggesting a kind of fervent desire breathed into existence.
You might aspire to a particular career, like saying "She aspires to be a renowned chef." Or you could aspire to achieve a personal quality, such as "He aspires to be more patient with his children." It often implies a sense of moral or intellectual elevation—aspiring to greatness isn't just about material success.
Grammatically, aspire is most often followed by "to": you can aspire to do something ("I aspire to lead with integrity") or aspire to something ("They aspire to freedom," or "She aspired to knowledge"). This highlights the pursuit of goals, ideals, and values.
Historically, aspiration was linked to spiritual longing—a desire for something beyond earthly existence. While that meaning still exists in some contexts, today it's more commonly used to describe ambitious goals and personal growth.
So whether you're dreaming big dreams or striving toward self-improvement, to aspire is to reach for something higher—fueled by hope, determination, and a belief in your potential.
Examples
- 1
Career goal
She has always aspired to be a doctor.
- 2
Politics
As a teenager, he aspired to work in politics.
- 3
Business ambition
The company aspires to become a leader in clean energy.
- 4
Sports goals
Many young athletes aspire to international success.
- Grammar
aspire to can be followed by a noun, not just be or another verb
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Artistic ambition
The film aspires to be more than simple entertainment.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- aspireverb
Forms
- aspiring-ing formverb
- aspiredpast tenseverb
- aspiresverb