aspire

[uh-spahyuhr]

verb (used without object)

aspired, aspiring 

1. to long, aim, or seek ambitiously; be eagerly desirous, especially for something great or of high value (usually followed by to, after, or an infinitive).

   to aspire after literary immortality; to aspire to be a doctor.

   Synonyms: yearn

2. Archaic.,  to rise up; soar; mount; tower.

aspire

/ əˈspaɪə /

verb

1. to yearn (for) or have a powerful or ambitious plan, desire, or hope (to do or be something)

   to aspire to be a great leader

2. to rise to a great height

Other Word Forms

• aspirer noun
• aspiringly adverb
• nonaspiring adjective
• unaspiring adjective
• unaspiringly adverb
• aspiring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspire¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French aspirer, from Latin aspīrāre “to breathe upon, pant after,” from a- a- ⁵ + spīrāre “to breathe, blow”

Word History and Origins

Origin of aspire¹

C15: from Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, from spīrāre to breathe

Synonym Study

See ambitious

Example Sentences

For aspiring CEOs, the lesson is straightforward: Your candidacy depends on what your shareholders value.

Read more on MarketWatch

Iran aspires to become a key regional player in emerging technologies, despite decades of international sanctions that have stifled its development.

Read more on Barron's

"We hope the Grand Egyptian Museum will usher in a new golden age of Egyptology and cultural tourism," says Ahmed Seddik, a guide and aspiring Egyptologist by the pyramids on the Giza Plateau.

Read more on BBC

Myers aspires to have both the financial and non-financial parts of the company’s SEC filings written by AI at some point, she said, with people continuing to vet the work.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ethan has fled a dysfunctional relationship and is adrift, an aspiring writer who barely writes—or aspires.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crave 
• pursue 
• strive 
• yearn