Words / B1

am-BISHUN/æmˈbɪʃn/

Ambition is a strong wish to succeed, often in work or study. A goal can be small and practical; an ambition is bigger and more personal. Career ambitions appear a lot in interviews. Ambitious is the adjective: an ambitious plan. Too much ambition can sound pushy, but at B1 it is usually positive.

Meaning

A strong wish to succeed or reach a goal.

Examples

• “Her ambition is to become a doctor.”
• “His ambition is to manage his own company.”
• “She has never lacked ambition.”

Good to know

ambition to + verb. Adjective: ambitious. Related: a goal / a dream.

Near in meaning

goal, aspiration

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