Definition

1. Noun:
   • The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something creative: A state of heightened creativity or enthusiasm, often leading to artistic or intellectual work.
   • A sudden brilliant or timely idea: A specific thought or concept that occurs suddenly and feels novel or enlightening.
   • The drawing in of breath; inhalation: The physical act of breathing in.
   • A person or thing that inspires: Someone or something that serves as a source of creative stimulation or motivation.
   • (Theology) Divine guidance or influence: A supernatural influence believed to guide human thought or action, especially in religious contexts.

Examples of Usage

• As a state of creativity:
  • The artist found inspiration in the natural landscape.
  • She writes her best poetry in moments of pure inspiration.
• As a sudden idea:
  • I had a sudden inspiration for how to solve the problem.
  • The design was based on a flash of inspiration.
• As inhalation:
  • (Medical/Technical) The inspiration of air into the lungs is an active process.
• As a source:
  • Her teacher was her greatest inspiration.
  • The story of his perseverance is an inspiration to us all.
• In theology:
  • Many believe the sacred texts were written under divine inspiration.

Advanced Usage

• "Breath of inspiration": A metaphor for a sudden influx of creative ideas.
  • The writer waited for a breath of inspiration to continue the novel.
• "On/Under the inspiration of": Acting because of the influence of something.
  • He painted the mural on the inspiration of ancient cave art.
• "A moment of inspiration": A specific point in time when a good idea occurs.
  • The invention was the result of a single moment of inspiration.

Variants and Related Words

• Inspire (verb): To fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something creative; to breathe in.
  • The speech inspired the crowd to take action.
• Inspirational (adjective): Providing or showing creative or spiritual inspiration.
  • She gave an inspirational talk about overcoming challenges.
• Inspiratory (adjective): Relating to the inhalation of air.
  • (Medical) The inspiratory muscles contract during breathing in.

Synonyms

• Stimulus: Something that encourages activity or development.
• Muse: A person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for an artist.
• Brainwave: A sudden clever idea.
• Inhalation: The action of breathing in.

Related Phrases

• "Seek inspiration": To actively look for sources of creative ideas.
  • The designer traveled to seek inspiration from different cultures.
• "Source of inspiration": The origin from which creative stimulation comes.
  • Her family has always been her source of inspiration.

Related Idioms

• "A bolt from the blue": A sudden and complete surprise, often leading to a new idea (similar to a sudden inspiration).
  • The solution hit him like a bolt from the blue.
• "Strike while the iron is hot": To take advantage of an opportunity immediately, which can apply to acting on a moment of inspiration.
  • You just had a great idea for a story—strike while the iron is hot and start writing!

Noun

1. the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing
2. arousing to a particular emotion or action
3. (theology) a special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings
   • they believe that the books of Scripture were written under divine guidance
4. a sudden intuition as part of solving a problem
5. a product of your creative thinking and work
   • he had little respect for the inspirations of other artists
   • after years of work his brainchild was a tangible reality
6. arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity