inspire
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence.
His courage inspired his followers.
-
to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.).
to inspire confidence in others.
-
to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc..
to inspire a person with distrust.
-
to influence or impel.
Competition inspired her to greater efforts.
-
to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does.
They were inspired by a belief in a better future.
-
to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence.
writings inspired by God.
-
to guide or control by divine influence.
-
to prompt or instigate (utterances, acts, etc.) by influence, without avowal of responsibility.
-
to give rise to, bring about, cause, etc..
a philosophy that inspired a revolution.
-
to take (air, gases, etc.) into the lungs in breathing; inhale.
-
Archaic.
-
to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually followed byinto ).
-
to breathe into or upon.
-
verb (used without object)
-
to give inspiration.
-
to inhale.
verb
-
to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon (a person); animate or invigorate
-
(tr; foll by with or to; may take an infinitive) to arouse (with a particular emotion or to a particular action); stir
-
(tr) to prompt or instigate; give rise to
her beauty inspired his love
-
(tr; often passive) to guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration
-
to take or draw (air, gas, etc) into the lungs; inhale
-
archaic (tr)
-
to breathe into or upon
-
to breathe life into
-
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
inspirernoun
-
reinspireverb
-
inspirableadjective
-
inspirativeadjective
-
pseudoinspiringadjective
-
uninspiringadjective
-
inspiringlyadverb
-
uninspiringlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
inspiresimple
-
inspiressimple
-
have inspiredperfect
-
has inspiredperfect
-
am inspiringprogressive
-
are inspiringprogressive
-
is inspiringprogressive
-
have been inspiringperfect progressive
-
has been inspiringperfect progressive
Past
-
inspiredsimple
-
had inspiredperfect
-
was inspiringprogressive
-
were inspiringprogressive
-
had been inspiringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of inspire
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English inspiren, from Latin inspīrāre “to breathe upon, breathe into,” equivalent to in- in- 2 ( def. ) + spīrāre “to breathe”
Explanation
The Olympics often inspire people to take up a sport, but they can also inspire patriotism. Inspire means to excite, encourage, or breathe life into. Inspire comes from the Latin word that means to inflame or to blow in to. When you inspire something, it is as if you are blowing air over a low flame to make it grow. A film can be inspired by a true story. Studying for your test will inspire confidence in you. Successful people often have a role model who inspired them to greatness. Who inspires you?
Vocabulary lists containing inspire
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Christmas Carol Vocab: A Lyrical Lexicon
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Michelle Obama's final address as First Lady (2017)
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.
Only rush-hour traffic and $20 tacos inspire the same level of dread.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026
Wilson, who was the biographer for A. Philip Randolph, the iconic civil rights and labor leader, said the Ohio FBI raids “were an act of desperation that will backfire and only inspire greater voter turnout.”
From Salon • Jun. 16, 2026
For all his success off the pitch, however, Vinicius has yet to inspire the same emotional connection Neymar still has with the country's football-loving public.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
For a different appeals court, that record might inspire some humility.
From Slate • Jun. 12, 2026
Few things could inspire Smith to actually speak at length.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
