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

Cooking elaborate healthy meals is one of those aspirational goals that lives in a world where time is infinite. —Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026

The promotions will come, but young aspirational workers should focus on building their skills over rushing to nab any new snazzy title to update their LinkedIn. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026

These meals don’t come with Instagram-ready aesthetics or aspirational narratives. —Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026

Until then, Super Bowl talk is aspirational, not predictive. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 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