aspirational

adjective

as·​pi·​ra·​tion·​al ˌa-spə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce aspirational (audio)
: 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 After all, as Katherine Jellison, a professor of American history at Ohio University, pointed out, clothes serve as an access point to character for the watching world, one that is familiar or exciting, relatable or aspirational. Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024 Travelers dreaming of aspirational destinations like Bali and the Maldives can now get there more easily with airline miles. Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024 The ensuing forgeries, manipulations, and murders were, yes, significantly less aspirational than the clothes. The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024 Despite the network’s aspirational brand, numerous cast members have faced bankruptcy and foreclosure. Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024 Expensive goods that once were merely aspirational suddenly became attainable—depending on your credit limit, of course. The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024 Like so much else offered at the Two Sessions, the talk was all aspirational. Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 Fortunately, there’s a timelessness to most of the classics that transcends youth, even if some of the aspirational dreams in the early material are long since in rear-view mirrors for much of the audience. Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024 Porter, who later coached at Duquesne, shares aspirational and cautionary tales with the youths, often pointing to the banners that hang above the court. Billy Witz, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aspirational.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

aspiration + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspirational was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near aspirational

Cite this Entry

“Aspirational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspirational. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

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