aspire
uh-SPEYE-uh
Aspire (verb) means to have a strong ambition or hope to achieve something. Example: “She aspires to run her own business one day.”
verb
1
To have a strong ambition or hope to achieve something.
"to aspire to / for / after / to do something; to aspire that something happens"
"She aspires to run her own business one day."
"Many young athletes aspire to compete in the Olympics."
"We aspire that the world will be a better place."
"He aspires to become a successful doctor."
How to use aspire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hope and work toward achieving something meaningful.
Common pairings
aspire to become
aspire to greatness
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- aspires
- Past tense
- aspired
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ to run her own business one day.
Etymology
From Latin aspirare, literally "to breathe toward" — the idea of reaching or striving toward a goal.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for aspire
See all rhymes for aspire →Frequently asked questions
What does “aspire” mean?
The word “aspire” means to have a strong ambition or hope to achieve something. In plain terms, to hope and work toward achieving something meaningful.
How do you pronounce “aspire”?
“Aspire” is pronounced uh-SPEYE-uh (/əˈspaɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “aspire” in a sentence?
Here is “aspire” used in a sentence: “She aspires to run her own business one day.”
What part of speech is “aspire”?
“Aspire” is a verb.
Where does the word “aspire” come from?
The word “aspire” comes from Latin. From Latin aspirare, literally "to breathe toward" — the idea of reaching or striving toward a goal.
Is “aspire” a common word?
“Aspire” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
