aspirational

American  

[as-puh-rey-shuh-nl] / ˌæs pəˈreɪ ʃə nl /

adjective

1. relating to or characterized by aspiration or a strong desire for something.

   their aspirational goals for the New Year.

2. aimed at or appealing to people who want to attain a higher social position or standard of living.

   a magazine featuring aspirational products for the home.

3. Medicine/Medical. relating to the act of removing a fluid from a body cavity or of inhaling a fluid into the lungs.

4. Phonetics. relating to articulation involving an audible puff of breath.

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Etymology

Origin of aspirational

aspiration + -al ¹

Explanation

Aspirational things are ambitious, like a goal you're aiming for. Your dreams of being a famous movie star are certainly aspirational, although maybe a little unrealistic. The adjective aspirational can simply describe your objectives or goals in life: in other words, the things you aspire to do. However, the word often implies a desire to achieve social status. If you think of aspirational social media accounts, which give snapshots of impossibly glamorous or wealthy lifestyles, you get the idea. The Latin root of aspirational is aspirare, which means both "to reach for" and "to breathe."

Example Sentences

I’m looking at what makes me feel great about this place, and it is a great place, an aspirational place.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

There are plenty of high-end, aspirational, fast EVs to inspire future EV driving enthusiasts.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

So much aspirational frugal cooking quietly assumes you have endless time, energy and executive function to devote to homemade bread, all-day braises and deeply involved kitchen projects.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

“Classical Body,” which pairs Attic vases and flasks with a series of fluted Grecian gowns elevated above—super-model goddesses in pale gold—sets the aspirational yet unforgiving female physical ideal.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

On the aspirational level, however, a constitutional amendment strategy may be more valuable.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker