aspire

1 of 2

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

aspirer

2 of 2

noun

aspir·​er

ə-ˈspī-rər, 

-ˈspī-ər-ər also a-

plural -s

: one that aspires

Synonyms of aspire

Verb

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

Examples of aspire in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

For aspiring filmmakers, there is no classroom quite like the Cannes Film Festival. — Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

In Mexico, an alliance with By Invitation Only and leading acting schools brought together aspiring talent for a professional development workshop, giving participants the opportunity to perform directly for casting directors and agents. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

On the Disney+ Marvel show, Abdul-Mateen played Simon Williams, an aspiring actor who desperately wants to star in a remake of the film Wonder Man. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026

Jackson, 44, played Avery Buckley, an aspiring musician who has a romantic relationship with Panettiere’s Nashville character, pop-country star Juliette Barnes, throughout the series, with their characters eventually marrying. — Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

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