ambitious

adjective

am·​bi·​tious am-ˈbi-shəs 

1

a

: having or controlled by ambition : having a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous

an ambitious young executive

b

: having a desire to achieve a particular goal : aspiring

ambitious for power

2

: resulting from, characterized by, or showing ambition

an ambitious film

ambitiously adverb

ambitiousness noun

Synonyms

• aspiring
• go-getting
• hard-driving
• pushing
• self-seeking

Examples of ambitious in a Sentence

The company was created by two very ambitious young men in the early 1900s.

This 500-page book is her most ambitious effort yet.

Your plans for the future are very ambitious.

It was too ambitious a task for just one person.

Recent Examples on the Web

The outcome of the local transportation referendum could set the stage for decades of ambitious government projects. —Adam Tamburin, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Without more ambitious commitments by the Global North and a dedicated mechanism to mobilize resources, developing nations in the Global South face an uphill battle to finance conservation and restoration projects. —David Carlin, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Its winding, disjointed, miles contain more interesting people and places than even an ambitious guidebook writer could ever hope to chronicle. —Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024

That poses a financial threat for Riyadh, which needs price levels closer to $100 a barrel to cover the ambitious economic plans of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the International Monetary Fund. —Grant Smith, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ambicious "overweening, craving," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French ambicieus "striving for success, seeking glory," borrowed from Latin ambitiōsus "anxious to win favor, eager for advancement," from ambitiō "act of soliciting for votes, desire for advancement" + -ōsus -ous — more at ambition entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ambitious

• ambitious for

Kids Definition

ambitious

adjective

am·​bi·​tious am-ˈbish-əs 

1

: controlled by or having ambition

ambitious to be captain of the team

2

: showing ambition

an ambitious plan

ambitiously adverb