inspiration

[in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. an inspiring or animating action or influence.

   I cannot write poetry without inspiration.

   Synonyms: incitement, stimulus

2. something inspired, as an idea.

3. a result of inspired activity.

4. a thing or person that inspires.

5. Theology.

   1. a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.

   2. the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.

6. the drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation.

7. the act of inspiring; quality or state of being inspired.

inspiration

/ ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special or unusual activity or creativity

2. the state or quality of being so stimulated or aroused

3. someone or something that causes this state

4. an idea or action resulting from such a state

5. the act or process of inhaling; breathing in

inspiration

1. See inhalation

Other Word Forms

• reinspiration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspiration¹

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; inspire ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

In many ways, he’s drawing inspiration from lyrics of punk-rock band Jawbreaker: My fiction beats the hell out of my truth.

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Winston is a grifter and populist demagogue in the mold of Robert Penn Warren’s Willie Stark, though Mr. Johnson has also taken inspiration from the daily news.

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In the New York City suburbs where Ms. Cheever and her two brothers grew up, she was a witness to many sources of her father’s inspiration.

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If we split up, I’ll look for vintage clothing inspiration for Clare V., including vintage handbags and clothing, as well as anything else.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“But then other inspirations of mine put out a lot of music and have this big pop empire,” Rapp said.

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Related Words

• encouragement 
• enthusiasm 
• genius 
• incentive 
• influence 
• insight 
• motivation 
• revelation 
• vision