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 of aspire

• intend
• plan
• hope
• mean
• aim
• wish
• go

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

The show will star Elle Fanning in the titular role of Margo, recent college dropout and aspiring writer as well as daughter of an ex-Hooter’s waitress (Michelle Pfeiffer) and former professional wrestler (Nick Offerman). —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2025

My later research focused on DACA students who aspired to become educators but had to either stop pursuing that goal or go out of state to teach. —William McCorkle, The Conversation, 9 Dec. 2025

Another Bankrate analysis from September shows one in six aspiring homeowners had completely given up on finding a home to buy. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025

Levine believes this moment presents a distinctive window for aspiring founders, especially those who may not come from traditional technical backgrounds. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for aspire

• admire
• afire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire
• perspire
• rehire

Kids Definition

aspire

verb

as·​pire ə-ˈspī(ə)r 

aspired; aspiring

: to work to get something high or great

aspirer noun