inspire

American  

[in-spahyuhr] / ɪnˈspaɪər /

verb (used with object)

inspired, inspiring

1. to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.

   His courage inspired his followers.

2. to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.).

   to inspire confidence in others.

3. to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc..

   to inspire a person with distrust.

4. to influence or impel.

   Competition inspired her to greater efforts.

5. to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does.

   They were inspired by a belief in a better future.

6. to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence.

   writings inspired by God.

7. to guide or control by divine influence.

8. to prompt or instigate (utterances, acts, etc.) by influence, without avowal of responsibility.

9. to give rise to, bring about, cause, etc..

   a philosophy that inspired a revolution.

10. to take (air, gases, etc.) into the lungs in breathing; inhale.

11. Archaic.

    1. to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually followed byinto ).

    2. to breathe into or upon.

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verb (used without object)

inspired, inspiring

1. to give inspiration.

2. to inhale.

inspire British  

/ ɪnˈspaɪə /

verb

1. to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon (a person); animate or invigorate

2. (tr; foll by with or to; may take an infinitive) to arouse (with a particular emotion or to a particular action); stir

3. (tr) to prompt or instigate; give rise to

   her beauty inspired his love

4. (tr; often passive) to guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration

5. to take or draw (air, gas, etc) into the lungs; inhale

6. archaic (tr)

   1. to breathe into or upon

   2. to breathe life into

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Other Word Forms

• inspirable adjective
• inspirative adjective
• inspirer noun
• inspiringly adverb
• preinspire verb (used with object)
• pseudoinspiring adjective
• reinspire verb
• uninspiring adjective
• uninspiringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of inspire

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English inspiren, from Latin inspīrāre “to breathe upon, breathe into,” equivalent to in- in- ² ( def. ) + spīrāre “to breathe”

Explanation

The Olympics often inspire people to take up a sport, but they can also inspire patriotism. Inspire means to excite, encourage, or breathe life into. Inspire comes from the Latin word that means to inflame or to blow in to. When you inspire something, it is as if you are blowing air over a low flame to make it grow. A film can be inspired by a true story. Studying for your test will inspire confidence in you. Successful people often have a role model who inspired them to greatness. Who inspires you?

Example Sentences

“I Swear” is a didactic starting point, and it may even inspire overcorrection when it comes to educating others, but its heart is in the right place.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

After home success for England's football and rugby union sides – the Lionesses and Red Roses - in recent years, Knight says this tournament represents a chance to inspire a new generation of cricketers.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

The performance of our forces should inspire confidence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

And while there is no active draft now, perhaps the transition to automatic registration will inspire some young person to bring the legal challenge that this moment begs.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

A large cathedral will inspire awe; a large cellblock, in my experience, will mainly horrify.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• affect
• animate
• arouse
• cause
• embolden
• excite
• galvanize
• get
• hearten
• impress
• influence
• instill
• motivate
• produce
• provoke
• spark
• spur
• stir
• sway
• touch