aspire

[uh-spahyuh r] /əˈspaɪər/

verb (used without object), aspired, aspiring.

to long, aim, or seek ambitiously; be eagerly desirous, especially for something great or of high value (usually followed by to, after, or an infinitive):

to aspire after literary immortality; to aspire to be a doctor.

Archaic. to rise up; soar; mount; tower.

Origin

1425-75; late Middle English (< Middle French aspirer) < Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, pant after, equivalent to a- a-⁵ + spīrāre to breathe, blow

Related forms

aspirer, noun

aspiringly, adverb

nonaspiring, adjective

unaspiring, adjective

unaspiringly, adverb

Synonyms

1. yearn.

Examples from the web for aspire

New York would no longer aspire to be all things to all of its people.
Countries don't aspire to things.
Now the upper middle class aspire to stay in cities.
But for those who aspire to greatness, here is the definitive guide.
In this wonder lay not only what man is, but what man might aspire to be.
It doesn't aspire to greatness, just goodness.
No, I dont aspire to be wealthy.
It's definitely something to aspire to.
The son can only aspire to achieve the full, clipped, gray mustache on his father's upper lip.
Meritocracy is something to aspire to, reality always lags behind.

British Dictionary definitions for aspire

aspire

/əˈspaɪə/

verb (intransitive)

usually foll by to or after. to yearn (for) or have a powerful or ambitious plan, desire, or hope (to do or be something): to aspire to be a great leader

to rise to a great height

Derived Forms

aspirer, noun
aspiring, adjective

Word Origin

C15: from Latin aspīrāre to breathe upon, from spīrāre to breathe

Word Origin and History for aspire

"to strive for," c.1400, from Old French aspirer "aspire to; inspire; breathe, breathe on" (12c.), from Latin aspirare "to breathe upon, to breathe," also, in transferred senses, "to be favorable to, assist; to climb up to, to endeavor to obtain, to reach to, to seek to reach; infuse," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit (n.)). The notion is of "panting with desire," or perhaps of rising smoke. Related: Aspired; aspiring.