inspiration
Americannoun
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an inspiring or animating action or influence.
I cannot write poetry without inspiration.
- Synonyms:
- incitement, stimulus
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something inspired, as an idea.
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a result of inspired activity.
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a thing or person that inspires.
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Theology.
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a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.
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the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.
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the drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation.
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the act of inspiring; quality or state of being inspired.
noun
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stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special or unusual activity or creativity
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the state or quality of being so stimulated or aroused
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someone or something that causes this state
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an idea or action resulting from such a state
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the act or process of inhaling; breathing in
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inspiration
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English inspiracio(u)n, from Late Latin inspīrātiōn-, stem of inspīrātiō literally “a breathing in,” from inspīrāt(us) “breathed in” (past participle of inspīrāre; see inspire) + -iō -ion
Explanation
An inspiration is a product of your thought, like a brilliant idea. If you have the next revolutionary inspiration like the printing press, the telephone, or the computer, you may just change the world. The noun inspiration can also mean a sudden intuition or idea, or something that arouses your desire to take action. You may find that doing some routine provides inspiration (gets your creative juices flowing), like going for a walk, looking at art, or reading a great poem. Inspiration can also mean breathing in or inhaling.
Vocabulary lists containing inspiration
An Inspirational Back-to-School Word List
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The Ingenious Lexicon of Invention
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Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I see so many of them in our local school wanting to study and improve, to follow Jhaj and Raja's inspiration."
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
Before Gomez purchased the property six years ago, it underwent a meticulous renovation and is now described as a “private celebrity compound” that “evokes a magical vision of romance, inspiration, and tranquility.”
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
A grey flannel coat was inspired by film noir, featuring a stripe detail that took inspiration from Venetian blinds.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
Lorenze takes inspiration from the distinctive on-court look of tennis’s only clay grand slam.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
In class, Lin carefully went over the guidelines and began studying war memorials for inspiration.
From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
