aspiring

1 of 2

adjective

aspir·​ing ə-ˈspī-riŋ 

: desiring and working to achieve a particular goal : having aspirations to attain a specified profession, position, etc.

an aspiring actor [=a person who aspires to be and is trying to become an actor]

an aspiring novelist

aspiring

2 of 2

present participle of aspire

Synonyms of aspiring

Adjective

• ambitious

Examples of aspiring in a Sentence

Adjective

an aspiring young pianist eager to win the prestigious competition

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For the people who loved the Detroit native and aspiring actress -- her mother, Katie Mattic, and sisters Jean Neal, Frances Douglas, Vivian Mattic and Virgie Binford -- that means tying up the loose ends of Margaret's life. — Nicole Avery Nichols, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Tim was an aspiring playwright, who held several jobs throughout his life. — Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2026

His own connection dates to when Spicer was a 12-year-old aspiring drummer and his mother, a friend of Prince’s sister Sharon, introduced him to the musician, then 17. — Keith Murphy, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Jeffery played Bree — an aspiring cheerleader at Seabrook High School who becomes friends with Addison (Meg Donnelly) — in the 2018 Disney Channel musical telefilm Zombies and would reprise the role in the 2020 and 2022 sequels. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1788, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aspiring

• acquiring
• admiring
• conspiring
• enquiring
• expiring
• inspiring
• perspiring
• rehiring
• retiring
• untiring
• firing
• hiring