aspiring

adjective

aspir·​ing ə-ˈspī-riŋ How to pronounce aspiring (audio)
: desiring and working to achieve a particular goal : having aspirations to attain a specified profession, position, etc.
an aspiring actor [=a person who aspires to be and is trying to become an actor]
an aspiring novelist

Examples of aspiring in a Sentence

an aspiring young pianist eager to win the prestigious competition
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Elevated mortgage rates have exacerbated the U.S. housing affordability crisis, pushing many aspiring homebuyers to the sidelines and locking in existing homeowners. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 The charges stem from accusations by former model Kaja Sokola, former TV production assistant Miriam Haley — the first accuser to testify in Weinstein’s retrial — and former aspiring actor Jessica Mann. Michaela Zee, Variety, 2 June 2025 The action centers on an aspiring author played by Camille Rutherford who believes she was born in the wrong century. Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025 After five years of sacrifice and hard work as an aspiring rapper, Owens was stunned. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for aspiring

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aspiring was in 1788

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aspiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aspiring. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on aspiring

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!