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

Her approach to dressing mirrors her approach to eating: practical yet purposeful, accessible yet aspirational. —Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Archer praised India’s reading culture and aspirational spirit as key factors in his books’ success in the market. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025

Specifically saying these white, thin, traditionally feminine bodies are not just aspirational but symbols of morality, tradition, purity. —Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 31 July 2025

Sales in Hermès’ silk and beauty departments fell by 4 percent, and executive chairman Axel Dumas noted a decline in aspirational shoppers and first-time clients. —India Brown, Robb Report, 31 July 2025

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