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

American style can be at turns confounding, amusing, and aspirational. — Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026

That cohort has become ever more precious as aspirational shoppers continue to pull back on spending. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026

But these aspirational numbers are still nowhere close to Ukraine’s, and reaching them—much less converting them into fielded military power—depends on massive, unrealized changes in the military, Congress, and the private sector. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

But travel points can create a more aspirational value proposition. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 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