aspire
/əs'paiə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To have a strong desire or ambition to achieve something significant or lofty. It implies aiming for a goal that is often challenging or requires considerable effort.
Usage
- The verb "aspire" is typically followed by the preposition "to" when indicating the goal or object of ambition.
- It can also be used with "to be" or "to become" to specify a desired state or profession.
- It describes a sustained, earnest ambition rather than a fleeting wish.
Examples
- Many young athletes aspire to compete in the Olympics.
- She has always aspired to be a published author.
- They aspire to create a more sustainable future for their community.
Advanced Usage
- "to aspire after": (Less common, slightly formal) To strive towards or seek earnestly.
- Philosophers often aspire after truth and wisdom.
- "aspiring" (Adjective): Desiring or working towards a particular goal.
- The workshop is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Variants and Related Words
- Aspiration (n): A hope or ambition of achieving something.
- His lifelong aspiration was to find a cure.
- Aspirant (n): A person who has ambitions to achieve something.
- She was a serious aspirant to the leadership position.
Synonyms
- Aim: To direct one's efforts towards a goal.
- Strive: To make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
- Yearn: To have an intense feeling of longing for something.
Phrasal Verbs / Common Constructions
- Aspire to (something): To have an ambition for a specific thing.
- He aspires to greatness in his field.
- Aspire to do (something): To have an ambition to perform a specific action.
- We aspire to build a company that lasts.
Related Idioms
- To set one's sights on: To decide to achieve something and try hard to do so. (This idiom conveys a similar determined ambition as "aspire.")
- She has set her sights on becoming CEO.
Verb
- have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal