inspiration
ihn-spih-RAY-shuhn
Inspiration (noun) means a person, idea, or experience that stimulates creativity or motivation. Example: “Her grandmother was the inspiration for the novel's main character.”
noun
1
A person, idea, or experience that stimulates creativity or motivation.
"Her grandmother was the inspiration for the novel's main character."
"Traveling gave him plenty of inspiration for new songs."
"The quiet hills near my home are a constant inspiration for my paintings."
2
A sudden creative or clever idea.
"He had a flash of inspiration and solved the puzzle in minutes."
"Then, in a moment of inspiration, she turned the old tyre into a garden seat."
"Inspiration struck at midnight, and he rushed to write the idea down."
3
(physiology) The act of drawing air into the lungs.
"The doctor listened to his inspiration and exhalation through the stethoscope."
"During deep inspiration, the diaphragm moves down and the chest expands."
"The nurse counted each slow inspiration to check the patient was breathing normally."
How to use inspiration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (or someone) that sparks creativity, motivation, or a good idea — or, in medicine, the act of breathing in.
Common pairings
a source of inspiration
draw inspiration from
a flash of inspiration
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Word forms
- Plural
- inspirations
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Her grandmother was the _____ for the novel's main character.
Etymology
From Old French inspiration, from Late Latin inspirationem, from inspirare ("to breathe into") — the same root that gives us "inspire."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inspiration
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for inspiration →
Frequently asked questions
What does “inspiration” mean?
The word “inspiration” means a person, idea, or experience that stimulates creativity or motivation. In plain terms, something (or someone) that sparks creativity, motivation, or a good idea — or, in medicine, the act of breathing in.
How do you pronounce “inspiration”?
“Inspiration” is pronounced ihn-spih-RAY-shuhn (/ˌɪn.spɚˈeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “inspiration” in a sentence?
Here is “inspiration” used in a sentence: “Her grandmother was the inspiration for the novel's main character.”
What part of speech is “inspiration”?
“Inspiration” is a noun.
Where does the word “inspiration” come from?
The word “inspiration” comes from Late Latin. From Old French inspiration, from Late Latin inspirationem, from inspirare ("to breathe into") — the same root that gives us "inspire.".
Is “inspiration” a common word?
“Inspiration” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “inspiration” have?
“Inspiration” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, idea, or experience that stimulates creativity or motivation.
What is the difference between inspiration and motivation?
Inspiration is the spark — a person, idea, or experience that suddenly fills you with a creative urge or fresh vision. Motivation is the ongoing drive and reason that pushes you to act and keep going. Inspiration often arrives from outside and stirs emotion; motivation sustains the effort that follows.
What is the difference between inspiration and aspiration?
Inspiration is the stimulus that sparks a creative idea or the desire to act. Aspiration is a hope or ambition — the goal you long to reach. Inspiration moves you in the moment; aspiration is what you are reaching toward. One provides the spark, the other the destination.
Where does inspiration come from?
Inspiration can come from almost anywhere: other people, nature, art, music, conversations, travel, hardship, or a sudden idea while resting. It often strikes unexpectedly rather than on demand. Many creative people find it by staying curious, gathering varied experiences, and giving their minds room to wander and make connections.
Can inspiration be forced?
Not directly — inspiration tends to arrive on its own rather than when summoned. You can, however, create conditions that invite it: exposing yourself to new ideas, taking breaks, reading widely, and starting work even without it. Often the act of beginning is what finally sparks the inspiration.
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