inspiration

[ in-spuh-rey-shuhn ]

/ ˌɪn spəˈreɪ ʃən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: inspiration / inspirations on Thesaurus.com

noun

an inspiring or animating action or influence: I cannot write poetry without inspiration.

something inspired, as an idea.

a result of inspired activity.

a thing or person that inspires.

Theology.

a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.
the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.

the drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR inspiration

1 stimulus, incitement.

See synonyms for inspiration on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of inspiration

1275–1325; Middle English inspiracio(u)n<Late Latin inspīrātiōn- (stem of inspīrātiō). See inspire, -ation

OTHER WORDS FROM inspiration

re·in·spi·ra·tion, noun

Words nearby inspiration

inspectorate, inspector general, inspector of taxes, insphere, inspirable, inspiration, inspirational, inspiration board, inspirator, inspiratory, inspire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inspiration in a sentence

His life, his example, has provided a great deal of inspiration for me to find that courage perhaps when I don’t feel like I have it all the time.
How Laurence Fishburne Gave Voice To ‘The Autobiography Of Malcolm X’|Joi-Marie McKenzie|September 17, 2020|Essence.com
We’re there to give guidance and ideas and inspiration, but it is the time for young people.
Debbie Allen’s Grandmother Love Doubled|Joi-Marie McKenzie|September 11, 2020|Essence.com
He has a lot of fantastic videos on YouTube around leadership and inspiration, and in one of those talks he recommended the book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.
Book recommendations from Fortune’s 40 under 40 in media and entertainment|Rachel King|September 11, 2020|Fortune
For further inspiration, dive into our additional reading and video picks for each destination, including some of our favorite stories from Outside’s archives.
27 Epic Trips to Start Planning Now|The Editors|September 8, 2020|Outside Online

Kyle Corcoran, executive director, technology investment banking, Morgan StanleyIt addresses some hurdles that may reduce efficiency in teams, despite being made up of highly talented individuals, and has been a source of inspiration.
Book recommendations from Fortune’s 40 under 40 in finance|Rachel King|September 8, 2020|Fortune
In this way, inspiration becomes appropriation, which leads directly to theft and erasure.
The Cultural Crimes of Iggy Azalea|Amy Zimmerman|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But inspiration and faith-based agenda in movies does not guarantee box office success.
Are You There, God? It’s Nicolas Cage and the Year in Cinematically Pimped Religion|Matthew Paul Turner|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Al Pacino was an early inspiration, particularly his early films.
The Brit Who Stormed Broadway|Tim Teeman|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So after that initial inspiration, my imagination created the rest.
Amanda Knox: A Mother’s Obsession|Nina Darnton|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hockney is also refreshingly genuine when it comes to revealing another source of inspiration—other artists.
The Many Lives of Artist David Hockney|William O’Connor|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Old Holmes furrowed his brow and closed one eye, seeking with the other the inspiration of the sky.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Presently a ray of inspiration dispelled the cloud from the features of the battered man.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Aristide, aglow with a sudden impudent inspiration, leant across the marble table.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
How have not the efforts of these societies been accompanied by this method of recognising the Author of inspiration?
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Buzot adored Madame Roland as the inspiration of his mind, as the idol of his worship.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for inspiration

inspiration

/ (ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən) /

noun

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

the state or quality of being so stimulated or aroused

someone or something that causes this state

an idea or action resulting from such a state

the act or process of inhaling; breathing in

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012