First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
inspire
verb in·spire \in-ˈspī(-ə)r\
: to make (someone) want to do something : to give (someone) an idea about what to do or create
: to cause (something) to happen or be created
: to cause someone to have (a feeling or emotion)
in·spiredin·spir·ing
Full Definition of INSPIRE
transitive verb
1
a : to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration b : to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on <was particularly inspired by the Romanticists> c : to spur on : impel, motivate <threats don't necessarily inspire people to work> d : affect <seeing the old room again inspired him with nostalgia>
2
a archaic : to breathe or blow into or upon b archaic : to infuse (as life) by breathing
3
a : to communicate to an agent supernaturally b : to draw forth or bring out <thoughts inspired by a visit to the cathedral>
4
: inhale 1
5
a : bring about, occasion <the book was inspired by his travels in the Far East> b : incite
6
: to spread (rumor) by indirect means or through the agency of another
intransitive verb
: inhale
— in·spir·er noun
See inspire defined for English-language learners
See inspire defined for kids
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Origin of INSPIRE
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French inspirer, from Latin inspirare, from in- + spirare to breathe
Related to INSPIRE
- Synonyms
- bear up, buck up, buoy (up), cheer (up), chirk (up), embolden, hearten, encourage, inspirit, steel
- Antonyms
- daunt, discourage, dishearten, dispirit
Rhymes with INSPIRE
INSPIRE Defined for Kids
inspire
verb in·spire \in-ˈspīr\
in·spiredin·spir·ing
Definition of INSPIRE for Kids
1
: to move or guide by divine influence
2
: to move (someone) to act, create, or feel emotions : arouse <The Senator's comments inspired me to write a letter.>
3
: to cause something to occur or to be created or done <It was a people's movement, inspired by the courageous acts of ordinary citizens … — Christopher Paul Curtis, The Watsons>
Medical Dictionary
inspire
verb in·spire \in-ˈspī(ə)r\
in·spiredin·spir·ing
Medical Definition of INSPIRE
transitive verb
: to draw in by breathing : breathe in : inhale <the volume of air inspired>
intransitive verb
: to draw in breath : inhale air into the lungs
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