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verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

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.
"She aspires to run her own business one day."
"Many young athletes aspire to compete in the Olympics."

How to Use Aspire

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo hope and work toward achieving something meaningful.

Common pairings
aspire to become aspire to greatness

Word Forms

aspired past tense, aspires singular

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Fill the Gap

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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.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for aspire

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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.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial