Origin: 1350–1400; Middle English <
Latin ambitiōsus, equivalent to
ambiti(
ō)
ambition +
-ōsus -ous Related forms am·bi·tious·ly, adverb
am·bi·tious·ness, noun
non·am·bi·tious, adjective
non·am·bi·tious·ly, adverb
non·am·bi·tious·ness, noun
o·ver·am·bi·tious, adjective
o·ver·am·bi·tious·ly, adverb
o·ver·am·bi·tious·ness, noun
pre·am·bi·tious, adjective
pre·am·bi·tious·ly, adverb
su·per·am·bi·tious, adjective
su·per·am·bi·tious·ly, adverb
su·per·am·bi·tious·ness, noun
un·am·bi·tious, adjective
un·am·bi·tious·ly, adverb
un·am·bi·tious·ness, noun
Synonyms
1. Ambitious, aspiring, enterprising describe a person who wishes to rise above his or her present position or condition. The ambitious person wishes to attain worldly success, and puts forth effort toward this end: ambitious for social position. The enterprising person, interested especially in wealth, is characterized by energy and daring in undertaking projects. The aspiring person wishes to rise (mentally or spiritually) to a higher level or plane, or to attain some end above ordinary expectations.
Antonyms
1. apathetic, lackadaisical.