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

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

Certainly, there are plenty of green initiatives like the sanctuary's domes, ambitious recycling projects and its famous solar cities. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025

Helen’s leadership will be instrumental in realizing these ambitious goals. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025

And at every turn — whether ingratiating themselves with a young police officer (Naomi Ackie) or going toe-to-toe with an ambitious real estate developer (David Tenant) — these retirees use their age to their advantage. —Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025

Stealing America's Most Famous Pair of Shoes (Hulu, Aug. 26) In 2005, one of the most ambitious movie memorabilia heists of all time happened, with a very unusual criminal behind it. —PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 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