aspire

[uh-spahyuh r] /əˈspaɪər/
verb (used without object), aspired, aspiring.
1.
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.
2.
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 aspiring
  • The program there helps him broaden his skills in entrepreneurship, among other skills useful to an aspiring scientist.
  • aspiring doctors are not normally taught microeconomics, cost accounting or risk management.
  • The pair spoke about the significance of portraits and offered advice for aspiring photographers.
  • How about some crumbs for the aspiring photographer.
  • Many of you reading this post may already be seasoned professors, while others are aspiring to become one.
  • So-called godfathers sponsor aspiring politicians in return for promised shares of government money.
  • Collectively, the array of issues facing an aspiring solar homeowner is daunting.
  • aspiring fast food gourmets can also submit their own creations to the site.
  • aspiring comedian imitators were invited to take a turn onstage.
  • Here are five pieces of gear for the aspiring shooter.
British Dictionary definitions for aspiring

aspire

/əˈspaɪə/
verb (intransitive)
1.
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
2.
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 aspiring

aspire

v.

"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.