Inspiration is a feeling of enthusiasm you get from someone or something, which gives you new and creative ideas.
My inspiration comes from poets like Baudelaire and Jacques Prévert.
What better way of finding inspiration for your own garden than by visiting others.
2. singular noun [anN]
If you describe someone or something good as aninspiration, you mean that they make you or other people want to do or achieve something.
[approval]
Powell's unusual journey to high office is an inspiration to millions. [+ to]
My father was a great inspiration.
3. singular noun
If something or someone is the inspiration for a particular book, work of art, or action, they are the source of the ideas in it or act as a model for it.
India's myths and songs are the inspiration for her books. [+ for]
Synonyms: influence, spur, stimulus, muse More Synonyms of inspiration
4. countable noun
If you suddenly have an inspiration, you suddenly think of an idea of what to do or say.
Alison had an inspiration.
More Synonyms of inspiration
inspiration in British English
(ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən)
noun
1.
stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special or unusual activity or creativity
2.
the state or quality of being so stimulated or aroused
3.
someone or something that causes this state
4.
an idea or action resulting from such a state
5.
the act or process of inhaling; breathing in
inspiration in American English
(ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃən)
noun
1.
a breathing in, as of air into the lungs; inhaling
2.
an inspiring or being inspired mentally or emotionally
3.
a.
an inspiring influence; any stimulus to creative thought or action
b.
an inspired idea, action, etc.
4.
a prompting of something to be written or said
5. Theology
a divine influence upon human beings, as that resulting in the writing of the Scriptures
Word origin
ME inspiracioun < OFr inspiration < LL inspiratio
Examples of 'inspiration' in a sentence
inspiration
You are trained, and if your training has been worth anything you will get flashes, inspiration.
Lyall, Francis A DEATH IN TIME (2002)
My friend Dennis sat next to me, looking for inspiration in the pages of an Elmore Leonard.
Val McDermid KICK BACK (2002)
You're asking me to put my business in your hands on the off chance you get some kind of inspiration.
Pacter, Trudi YELLOW BIRD (2002)
Lacking inspiration, Samantha hoped confidence would take its place.
Christina Dodd MY FAVORITE BRIDE (2002)
Quotations
When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best - that is inspirationRobert BressonNotes on the Cinematographer
In other languages
inspiration
British English: inspiration NOUN
Inspiration is a feeling of enthusiasm you get from someone or something, which gives you new and creative ideas.
Much of his inspiration comes from wildlife.
American English: inspiration
Brazilian Portuguese: inspiração
Chinese: 灵感
European Spanish: inspiración
French: inspiration
German: Inspiration
Italian: ispirazione
Japanese: インスピレーション
Korean: 영감
European Portuguese: inspiração
Latin American Spanish: inspiración
Chinese translation of 'inspiration'
inspiration
(ɪnspəˈreɪʃən)
n
(u) (= encouragement) 鼓舞 (gǔwǔ)
(s) (= stimulus) 灵(靈)感 (línggǎn)
(s) (= inspiring person, action) 鼓舞人心的人/物 (gǔwǔ rénxīn de rén/wù)
(c) (= idea) 妙想 (miàoxiǎng)
to be the inspiration for sth是某事的灵(靈)感起源 (shì mǒushì de línggǎn qǐyuán)
to be an inspiration to sb是对(對)某人的鼓舞 (shì duì mǒurén de gǔwǔ)
1 (noun)
Definition
stimulation of the mind or feelings to activity or creativity
A good way of getting inspiration is by looking at others' work.
Synonyms
imagination
He has a logical mind and a little imagination.
creativity
American art reached a peak of creativity in the 50's and 60's.
ingenuity
This task is difficult and may require some ingenuity.
talent
insight
genius
This is the mark of her genius as a designer.
productivity
fertility
stimulation
originality
the startling originality of his writing
inventiveness
He has surprised us before with his inventiveness.
cleverness
The artist demonstrates a cleverness with colours and textures.
fecundity
an island famous for fecundity and profusion
imaginativeness
inspo (slang)
2 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing that causes this state
She was very impressive and a great inspiration to all.
Synonyms
motivation
Money is my motivation.
example
We were punished as an example to others.
influence
model
boost
It did give me a boost to win such an event.
spur
incentive
There is little incentive to adopt such measures.
revelation
encouragement
The encouragement of trade will benefit the process of economic reform.
stimulus
Falling interest rates could be a stimulus to the economy.
catalyst
stimulation
inducement
They offer every inducement to encourage investment.
incitement
an incitement to rioting
instigation
The talks are taking place at the instigation of Germany.
afflatus
inspo (slang)
Opposites
deterrent
,
disenchantment
,
discouragement
3 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing that causes this state
India's myths and songs are the inspiration for her books.
Synonyms
influence
spur
Redundancy is the spur for many to embark on new careers.
stimulus
muse
4 (noun)
Definition
an inspired idea or action
She had an inspiration. `Let's make a tunnel from hardboard'.
Synonyms
bright idea
revelation
brainwave (informal)
When she was 21 she had a brainwave that changed her life.
Quotation
When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best - that is inspiration [Robert Bresson – Notes on the Cinematographer]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boost
Definition
encouragement or help
It did give me a boost to win such an event.
Synonyms
encouragement,
help,
lift,
spur,
inspiration,
bolster
in the sense of brainwave
Definition
a sudden idea or inspiration
When she was 21 she had a brainwave that changed her life.
Synonyms
idea,
thought,
wheeze (British, slang),
bright idea,
stroke of genius
in the sense of cleverness
The artist demonstrates a cleverness with colours and textures.