ambition

1 of 2

noun

am·bi·tion am-ˈbi-shən How to pronounce ambition (audio)

: an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power

With her talent and fierce ambition, she became a very successful actress.

: desire to achieve a particular end

: the object of ambition

Her ambition is to start her own business.

US : a desire for activity or exertion

felt sick and had no ambition

ambitionless

am-ˈbi-shən-ləs How to pronounce ambition (audio)

adjective

ambition

2 of 2

verb

ambitioned; ambitioning; ambitions

transitive verb

: to have as one's ambition : desire

Did you know?

Ambition Has Roots in Roman Politics

When candidates for public office in ancient Rome wanted to be elected, they had to do just what modern candidates must do. They had to spend most of their time going around the city urging the citizens to vote for them. The Latin word for this effort was ambitio, which came from ambire, a verb meaning “to go around.” Since this activity was caused by a desire for honor or power, the word eventually came to mean “the desire for honor or power.” This word came into French and English as ambition in the late Middle Ages. Later its meaning broadened to include “an admirable desire for advancement or improvement” and still later “the object of this desire.”

Example Sentences

Noun My first ambition as a child was to be in the circus. He lacked ambition and couldn't compete with the others.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tony Iommi appears on an Ozzy solo album — are satisfying in their ambition and urgency.

Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022 When Baribeau arrived at Catholic Medical Center in 1992, the recently married 36-year-old surgeon was searching for a busy, growing practice to absorb his restless ambition.

BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 As part of the program, each senior was asked to stand and announce their ambition.

Nancy Anderson, Good Housekeeping, 5 Sep. 2022 As Beijing builds its power and elevates its ambition, Asia has become Washington’s principal focus in its defense of American global influence and the system of relationships, norms, and ideals that supports it.

Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2022 Ryan’s dad, Damion Hickman, is impressed with his fearlessness in front of the camera and his ambition.

Sarah Sekula, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2022 Its share price ended Monday down more than 45% since Mr. Gelsinger detailed his chip-making ambition last year, compared with an 8% retreat in the PHLX Semiconductor Index.

Asa Fitch, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Spiegel and his team deserve a pinch of praise for their ambition.

Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 Your ambition regarding personal and professional matters may be supercharged today.

Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2022

Verb

But the Kushners’ empire, like Trump’s, was underwritten by years of dealing in much more modestly ambitioned properties.

Alec Macgillis/propublica, New York Times, 23 May 2017 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ambicioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French ambicion, borrowed from Latin ambitiōn-, ambitiō "act of soliciting for votes, running for public office, striving after popularity, desire for advancement," from ambīre "to encircle, visit in rotation, solicit (political support), seek to obtain" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at ambient entry 1

Verb

derivative of ambition entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined above

单词	ambitionless
释义	ambition 1 of 2 noun am·bi·tion am-ˈbi-shən 1 a : an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power With her talent and fierce ambition, she became a very successful actress. b : desire to achieve a particular end 2 : the object of ambition Her ambition is to start her own business. 3 US : a desire for activity or exertion felt sick and had no ambition ambitionless am-ˈbi-shən-ləs adjective ambition 2 of 2 verb ambitioned; ambitioning; ambitions transitive verb : to have as one's ambition : desire Did you know? Ambition Has Roots in Roman Politics When candidates for public office in ancient Rome wanted to be elected, they had to do just what modern candidates must do. They had to spend most of their time going around the city urging the citizens to vote for them. The Latin word for this effort was ambitio, which came from ambire, a verb meaning “to go around.” Since this activity was caused by a desire for honor or power, the word eventually came to mean “the desire for honor or power.” This word came into French and English as ambition in the late Middle Ages. Later its meaning broadened to include “an admirable desire for advancement or improvement” and still later “the object of this desire.” Synonyms Noun ambitiousness aspiration go-getting See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun My first ambition as a child was to be in the circus. He lacked ambition and couldn't compete with the others. Recent Examples on the Web Noun Tony Iommi appears on an Ozzy solo album — are satisfying in their ambition and urgency. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022 When Baribeau arrived at Catholic Medical Center in 1992, the recently married 36-year-old surgeon was searching for a busy, growing practice to absorb his restless ambition. BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 As part of the program, each senior was asked to stand and announce their ambition. Nancy Anderson, Good Housekeeping, 5 Sep. 2022 As Beijing builds its power and elevates its ambition, Asia has become Washington’s principal focus in its defense of American global influence and the system of relationships, norms, and ideals that supports it. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2022 Ryan’s dad, Damion Hickman, is impressed with his fearlessness in front of the camera and his ambition. Sarah Sekula, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2022 Its share price ended Monday down more than 45% since Mr. Gelsinger detailed his chip-making ambition last year, compared with an 8% retreat in the PHLX Semiconductor Index. Asa Fitch, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Spiegel and his team deserve a pinch of praise for their ambition. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 Your ambition regarding personal and professional matters may be supercharged today. Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2022 Verb But the Kushners’ empire, like Trump’s, was underwritten by years of dealing in much more modestly ambitioned properties. Alec Macgillis/propublica, New York Times, 23 May 2017 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English ambicioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French ambicion, borrowed from Latin ambitiōn-, ambitiō "act of soliciting for votes, running for public office, striving after popularity, desire for advancement," from ambīre "to encircle, visit in rotation, solicit (political support), seek to obtain" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at ambient entry 1 Verb derivative of ambition entry 1 First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb 1601, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing ambition life's ambition life's ambition Kids Definition ambition noun am·bi·tion am-ˈbi-shən 1 : a desire for success, honor, or power 2 : something a person hopes to do or achieve My ambition is to become a jet pilot. 3 : the drive to do things and be active I'm tired and have no ambition. ambitionless adjective as in shiftless Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance shiftless lazy apathetic indolent listless slothful lethargic languorous torpid inert sluggish sluggard quiescent sleepy inactive slack motionless dull sedentary lazyish dopey sluggardly inanimate static resting still dormant drugged comatose drowsy catatonic dopy dead asleep somnambulant Antonyms & Near Antonyms active busy engaged occupied energetic working dynamic spirited vigorous vivacious kinetic industrious hardworking vital sprightly diligent perky animated assiduous lively bouncing peppy springy sedulous zippy See More
随便看	subtranslucent subtransparent subtreasurer subtreasurers subtreasuries subtreasury subtrend subtrends subtriangular subtribe subtribes subtropic subtropical subtropics subtruded subtrudes subtruding subtruncate subtuberant subtunics subtweet subtweeted subtweeting subtweets subtype

ambition

noun

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing ambition

Kids Definition

noun

adjective