Games

Word of the Day

Video

Blog: Words at Play

My Faves

Dictionary

aspire

verb as·pire \ə-ˈspī(-ə)r\

: to want to have or achieve something (such as a particular career or level of success)

as·piredas·pir·ing

Full Definition of ASPIRE

intransitive verb

: to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal <aspired to a career in medicine>

: ascend, soar

— as·pir·er noun

See aspire defined for English-language learners

See aspire defined for kids

Origin of ASPIRE

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French aspirer, from Latin aspirare, literally, to breathe upon, from ad- + spirare to breathe

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ASPIRE

Synonyms: aim, allow [chiefly Southern & Midland], intend, calculate, contemplate, design, go [chiefly Southern & Midland], look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purpose

Antonyms: decline, descend, dip, drop, fall (off), plunge

Rhymes with ASPIRE

attire, backfire, bemire, catch fire, cross fire, denier, desire, entire, for hire, fox fire, Greek fire, grey friar, hang fire, hellfire, live wire, on fire, prior, rimfire, sapphire, sea fire, snow tire, town crier, trip wire, umpire, watch fire, white friar

ASPIRE Defined for Kids

aspire

verb as·pire \ə-ˈspīr\

as·piredas·pir·ing

Definition of ASPIRE for Kids

: to very much want to have or achieve something <aspire to greatness>

Learn More About ASPIRE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "aspire"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "aspire"

Nglish: Translation of "aspire" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "aspire" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: aspirinPrevious Word in the Dictionary: aspiratorAll Words Near: aspire

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up aspire? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Learn More