aspirational

adjective

as·​pi·​ra·​tion·​al ˌa-spə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

: of, relating to, or characterized by aspiration

aspirational goals

: such as

a

: having or showing a desire to achieve a high level of success or social status

… private schools are patronised … by parents struggling to produce intelligent, clear-thinking, disciplined, polite, aspirational children …

—Katie Grant

b

: associated with or suggestive of a high level of success and social status and therefore appealing to people who aspire to such status

aspirational brands/products

aspirationally adverb

Examples of aspirational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The tough, gangsta image that defined late ’80s and early ’90s hip-hop had now been sanded down into something more aspirational and decidedly capitalist. —Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 31 Oct. 2024

But the aspirational culture of the 21st century tends to mean a certain unattainable proxy dream thing. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024

Right Now Meyers achieves the perfect balance between aspirational and attainable, says Meg Young, the founder and creative director of Cailíní Coastal. —Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024

Campaigns are aspirational, filled with half-baked proposals designed to send a message rather than establish a set of solid governing priorities. —Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

aspiration + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above