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
Derived 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
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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.
INSPIRATION: The Bulldogs were shaken in the West Coast Conference tournament, losing senior starter Laura Stockton and reserve guard Jill Townsend to season-ending injuries.
From Washington Times • Mar. 24, 2019
DeJONGE INSPIRATION: For those players who withdraw after a big score in the opening round, Brendon de Jonge showed what’s possible at the Wells Fargo Championship.
From Washington Times • May 27, 2014
INSPIRATION: My credentials are authentic, earth and heaven will bear witness on my behalf.
From Emile by Rousseau, Jean-Jacques
INSPIRATION: Believe me, for my teaching is more positive; and I will prove to you beyond all manner of doubt that he has sent me.
From Emile by Rousseau, Jean-Jacques
INSPIRATION: But that is just what I am doing, and you will not listen.
From Emile by Rousseau, Jean-Jacques
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.
