aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(-ə)r 

aspired; aspiring

intransitive verb

1

: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal

She aspired to a career in medicine.

2

: ascend, soar

aspirer noun

Synonyms

• aim
• allow [chiefly Southern & Midland]
• calculate
• contemplate
• design
• go [chiefly Southern & Midland]
• intend
• look
• mean
• meditate
• plan
• propose
• purport
• purpose

Examples of aspire in a Sentence

aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds

a tower aspiring towards the heavens

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent years, programs such as grants to settle in Tuscan villages, and Mediterranean islands that sell homes for less than the price of a cup of coffee, have presented tempting opportunities for aspiring expats. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

The first step: Israel should convene a summit with the United States, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and any actors aspiring to help reshape the Middle East, including Palestinian representatives, in a leading Middle Eastern capital such as Riyadh. —Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024

In White Christmas, Captain Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and aspiring performer Private Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) entertain the 151st division with a Christmas Eve soldier’s show. —Marc Berman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

McKinsey's research found that some independent workers would like to have a full-time job or aspire to a full-time job while freelancing and also enrolling in education or work-training programs. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aspirer, from Latin aspirare, literally, to breathe upon, from ad- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(ə)r 

aspired; aspiring

: to work to get something high or great

aspirer noun