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

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

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

Related Words

• crave 
• pursue 
• strive 
• yearn