aspiring
Americanadjective
Synonym Usage
See ambitious.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of aspiring
First recorded in 1575–1595; aspire ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. )
Explanation
If you're aspiring, you're trying to be something. If you're an aspiring singer, you're probably out booking as many gigs as possible in the hopes that someone will soon discover you. The adjective aspiring describes a person who wants to succeed at a particular goal, often one related to a career. Many aspiring artists move to New York City in the hopes that they'll get into a major gallery and sell their art. Aspiring country musicians move to Nashville to try to land a recording deal. If you're an aspiring politician, you may study political science and intern at the state senator's offices to gain experience and make connections.
Vocabulary lists containing aspiring
Almost American Girl
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The writer, actor, podcaster and aspiring ‘Prince of Christmas’ does brunch, goes for a solo hike, orders Postmates and catches up on the ‘Real Housewives.’
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
"The filters and the use of AI on social media posts mean some of the images children are seeing are not even real, so they are aspiring to something that does not even exist."
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
These aspiring Jacobins, in other words, wanted to silence an advocate of campus free speech—thereby proving his point.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
The story is simple: The dad flusters, fidgets and whines; the girl gobbles room service as though aspiring to become human foie gras.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
“Amir jan. Our aspiring storyteller. What a pleasure,” he said.
From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
