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 of ambitious

• aspiring

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

This third chapter completes the trilogy, turning Adidas icons into conceptual forms and solidifying Avavav’s place among the brand’s most visually ambitious collaborators — alongside Wales Bonner and Pharrell Williams. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2025

Evans, a rising writer-director known for her provocative storytelling and fearless exploration of female psychology, continues her fascination with obsession and self-reinvention in what is poised to be her most ambitious work yet. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025

Working alongside veteran actor and festival president Hussein Fahmi, Tarek helps shape an event that is both accessible and ambitious. —Essie Assibu, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025

Say a country in Africa stands up a big reforestation project and sells credits from it, via Article 6, to a European country struggling to meet its ambitious carbon reduction goals. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for ambitious

• adventitious
• cementitious
• expeditious
• inauspicious
• injudicious
• meretricious
• repetitious
• superstitious
• surreptitious
• unambitious
• unpropitious
• unsuspicious

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