aspirational

adjective

as·​pi·​ra·​tion·​al ˌa-spə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

: of, relating to, or characterized by aspiration

aspirational goals

: such as

a

: having or showing a desire to achieve a high level of success or social status

… private schools are patronised … by parents struggling to produce intelligent, clear-thinking, disciplined, polite, aspirational children …

—Katie Grant

b

: associated with or suggestive of a high level of success and social status and therefore appealing to people who aspire to such status

aspirational brands/products

aspirationally adverb

Examples of aspirational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, bears have argued that Danaher paid a 38% premium for Masimo, an operationally troubled company at a moment of elevated leverage, and that the $125 million synergy target is aspirational. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 16 July 2026

The excitement could continue to grow if NASA can maintain its aspirational mission manifest of 79 launches and 73 lunar landings between now and 2036. — Clive Neal, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Choosing the right trail for your first thru-hike Match the hike to your current fitness level, not your aspirational one. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026

Pick trails that match your current fitness, not your aspirational fitness. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

aspiration + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aspirational

• avocational
• calculational
• combinational
• computational
• conformational
• confrontational
• congregational
• conversational
• correlational
• deformational
• derivational
• educational