ambition
am-BISH-uhn
/æmˈbɪʃ.ən/
A strong desire to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.
Refers to both the abstract quality of being driven and specific long-term goals.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, politicians seeking office would go around ('ambire') the city greeting citizens and soliciting votes. This practice of 'going around' eventually became synonymous with the striving for power and honor itself, giving us our modern word 'ambition'.
Word relationships
- aspirations: 'Aspirations' usually refers to noble or lofty dreams, whereas 'ambition' can imply aggressive drive.
- drive: 'Drive' emphasizes the internal force or energy, while 'ambition' emphasizes the end objective.
- apathy: Lack of interest, energy, or concern for any objective.
- indifference: Absence of desire or preference toward achievement.
Commonly confused with
- greed: Greed is selfish desire for wealth; ambition is the drive toward general accomplishment.
Word family
- ambitious (adjective): Having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.
- ambitiously (adverb): In a manner showing a strong desire to succeed.
Collocations
- vaulting ambition
- fueled by ambition
- achieve an ambition
- thwart someone's ambition
Idioms & expressions
- climb the ladder of ambition
Example sentences
- "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition." Literature / Classic
- "Her ambition was to build an eco-friendly tech startup before turning thirty." Professional growth
Memory hook
Think of an AMBITIOUS candidate walking around the entire city (AMB- = around) to get every single vote. Ambitio = going around asking for power.
When not to use
Do not use to describe immediate, small-scale tasks like doing the dishes.
Fun facts
- In Middle English, 'ambition' was often viewed negatively as a sinful, prideful lust for power.
Related words
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