aspire
Use Aspire in a sentence
verb (used without object), as·pired, as·pir·ing.
1.
to long, aim, or seek ambitiously; be eagerly desirous, especially for something great or of high value (usually followed by to, after, or an infinitive): to aspire after literary immortality; to aspire to be a doctor.
2.
Archaic. to rise up; soar; mount; tower.
Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English (< Middle French aspirer) < Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, pant after, equivalent to a- a-5 + spīrāre to breathe, blow
1425–75; late Middle English (< Middle French aspirer) < Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, pant after, equivalent to a- a-5 + spīrāre to breathe, blow
Related forms
as·pir·er, noun
as·pir·ing·ly, adverb
non·as·pir·ing, adjective
un·as·pir·ing, adjective
un·as·pir·ing·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1. yearn.
1. yearn.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To Aspire
00:10
Aspire
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
aspire (əˈspaɪə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (usually foll by to | |
| 1. | to yearn (for) or have a powerful or ambitious plan, desire, or hope (to do or be something): to aspire to be a great leader |
| 2. | to rise to a great height |
| [C15: from Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, from spīrāre to breathe] | |
| as'pirer | |
| —n | |
| as'piring | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
aspire
mid-15c., from O.Fr. aspirer "aspire to, inspire" (12c.), from L. aspirare "to breathe upon, to breathe," also, in transf. senses, "to be favorable to, assist; to climb up to, to endeavor to obtain, to reach to, to seek to reach; infuse," from ad- "to" + spirare "to breathe" (see
spirit). The notion is of "panting with desire," or perhaps of rising smoke.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Real conservatism cannot aspire to lofty principles, because its task is to defend what already exists.
Let's be more innovative and aspire for more efficient and effective energy source.
No, I dont aspire to be wealthy.
We aspire to be a place of equal opportunity, and yet where you're born determines your prospects.
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