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aspire
[ uh-spahyuhr ]
/ ÉËspaÉȘÉr /
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verb (used without object), as·pired, as·pir·ing.
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.
Archaic. to rise up; soar; mount; tower.
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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asâŠ
Origin of aspire
1425â75; late Middle English (<Middle French aspirer) <Latin aspÄ«rÄre to breathe upon, pant after, equivalent to a-a-5 + spÄ«rÄre to breathe, blow
synonym study for aspire
1. See ambitious
OTHER WORDS FROM aspire
Words nearby aspire
aspirate, aspiration, aspirational, aspirator, aspiratory, aspire, aspirin, aspiring, asplanchnic, asplenium, sporting chance, a
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use aspire in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for aspire
aspire
/ (ÉËspaÉȘÉ) /
verb (intr)
(usually foll by to or after) 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
to rise to a great height
Derived forms of aspire
aspirer, nounaspiring, adjectiveWord Origin for aspire
C15: from Latin aspÄ«rÄre to breathe upon, from spÄ«rÄre to breathe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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