Words / B2

asp-uh-RAYSHUN/ˌæspəˈreɪʃn/

An aspiration is a hope or ambition you aim for: her aspiration is to study medicine, career aspirations. Hope is everyday and can be vague; ambition is a close synonym, sometimes more hungry. Aspire to is the verb pattern. In speech, what I want to do or my aim is enough. The word is slightly formal and positive — it is not a synonym for a daydream you will not act on.

Meaning

A hope or ambition to achieve something.

Examples

• “Her aspiration is to study medicine.”
• “The college asked for a short paragraph on their aspirations, not a novel.”
• “High aspirations without a timetable remain a wish.”

Good to know

aspiration to + verb / + noun. Verb: aspire to. Everyday: aim / hope. Close: ambition.

Near in meaning

ambition

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