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

Success then gets redefined beyond what’s immediately visible, and goals align with realistic capacity instead of aspirational timelines. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

The collections were deeply rooted in in the brand's DNA, with high-quality designs that balanced aspirational and attainable. —Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026

As with any aircraft launch, timelines remain aspirational until production units reach customers. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026

Such a story may not fit as easily with the narrative imposed from without — with the scores of fans and free-speech advocates who see in Rushdie a kind of aspirational stare-down of danger. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 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