ambitious

adjective

am·​bi·​tious am-ˈbi-shəs How to pronounce ambitious (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Encoded in the machine's engineering was an ambitious globalism. Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025 Lopez also has an ambitious and uninhibited way of speaking that is far removed from the prudence of players from older generations. Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 4 July 2025 Pawlicki acknowledges the work is nowhere near as ambitious as the Rethink Coalition's proposal to cover up portions of the South Split of I-65/I-70, which would free up land for more green space and development between Fountain Square and Fletcher Place. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 4 July 2025 The package is certain to be a flashpoint in next year’s midterm elections, and Democrats are making ambitious plans for rallies, voter registration drives, attack ads, bus tours and even a multi-day vigil, all intended to highlight the most controversial elements. Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ambitious

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ambitious was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Ambitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ambitious. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ambitious

adjective
am·​bi·​tious am-ˈbish-əs How to pronounce ambitious (audio)
1
: controlled by or having ambition
ambitious to be captain of the team
2
: showing ambition
an ambitious plan
ambitiously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ambitious

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