aspire
[ uh-spahyuhr ]
/ əˈspaɪər /
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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Origin of aspire
1425–75; late Middle English (< Middle French aspirer) < Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, pant after, equivalent to a- a-5 + spīrāre to breathe, blow
Related forms
Synonym study
1. See ambitious
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for aspiring
British Dictionary definitions for aspiring
aspire
/ (əˈspaɪə) /
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
aspirer, nounaspiring, adjectiveWord Origin for aspire
C15: from Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, from spīrāre to breathe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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