aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(-ə)r 

aspired; aspiring

intransitive verb

1

: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal

She aspired to a career in medicine.

2

: ascend, soar

aspirer noun

Synonyms

• aim
• allow [chiefly Southern & Midland]
• calculate
• contemplate
• design
• go [chiefly Southern & Midland]
• intend
• look
• mean
• meditate
• plan
• propose
• purport
• purpose

Examples of aspire in a Sentence

aspire to great deeds, and you have a better chance of doing good deeds

a tower aspiring towards the heavens

Recent Examples on the Web

Among the considerations Wu worked through before the character became the aspiring social media star audiences meet in the series was how a jiangshi would get to Texas in the first place and why. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

About Forbes Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. —Forbes Press Releases, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Friends described her as creative, entrepreneurial, and an aspiring photographer, CNN reported. —Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024

Yet another, Michael King (San Diego Padres) began the transition to full-time starting late in the 2023 season and found success in 2024 — suggesting a patient approach might be best for relievers who aspire to start. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aspirer, from Latin aspirare, literally, to breathe upon, from ad- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(ə)r 

aspired; aspiring

: to work to get something high or great

aspirer noun