verb · B2

Aspire

uh-SPEYE-uh/əˈspaɪə/

To aspire is to have a strong wish to achieve something: aspire to a career in law, aspire to be fair. Want is everyday and weaker; aim is close; hope is softer. Aspiration is the noun. The pattern is aspire to + noun/infinitive, not aspire for. In speech, want to be / aim to is enough. Aspire is ambitious and slightly formal. Do not say you aspire to a sandwich.

Meaning

To have a strong wish to achieve something (aspire to).

Examples

“She aspires to become a doctor.”
“Several students aspire to read medicine, which is why the chemistry slots fill first.”
“The school aspires to be bilingual in practice, not only on the prospectus.”

Good to know

aspire to + noun/infinitive. Strong ambition. Everyday: want / aim. Noun: aspiration. Not “aspire for”. Formal; not for small wants.

Near in meaning

aim

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