Word
ambition
Phoneticsam·bi·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/æmˈbɪʃən/
UK/æmbˈɪʃən/
Definitions
01desire for success
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the strong desire to be successful, rich, or powerful.
n. the internal drive or motivation to achieve distinction, power, or fame. Uncountable in this general sense.
“Her ambition to become a doctor started when she was very young.”
“Without sufficient ambition, even the most talented individuals may find themselves stagnating in entry-level positions for years.”
Synonyms
02a specific goal
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a particular goal or aim that you want to achieve.
n. a specific object of desire or a particular achievement aimed for. Countable in this sense.
“His main ambition in life is to travel around the world.”
“The young athlete finally realised her lifelong ambition of competing in the Olympic Games after years of rigorous training.”
03to seek eagerly
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Formal
v. to try very hard to get something you want.
v. to seek after something eagerly or to covet a position or object. Transitive use.
“He would ambition the highest office in the land if he had the chance.”
“In the classic tragedy, the protagonist began to ambition the crown, leading to his eventual moral downfall.”
Usage
This verb form is rare in modern speech and is typically found in older literature or very formal prose.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ambition” in context.
Verb
01. achieve an ambition
“She worked hard for years to finally achieve her ambition of becoming a doctor.”
verb + noun
02. fulfill an ambition
“He managed to fulfill his lifelong ambition to travel around the world.”
verb + noun
03. lack ambition
“The teacher felt that the student was talented but seemed to lack ambition.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. burning ambition
“He has a burning ambition to win an Olympic gold medal.”
adj + noun
05. secret ambition
“My secret ambition is to write a bestselling novel one day.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. ambition to succeed
“Without the ambition to succeed, it is difficult to stay motivated during tough times.”
noun + infinitive
Preposition
07. full of ambition
“The young graduates arrived in the city full of ambition and energy.”
adj + prep
Real-World Examples
“The tip may lack the punch of uncompromising drive, but aiming for merely above average tends to work out better, according to a mathematical model the team created to explore how ambition pans out.” “Ambition does not exist in a vacuum; it is influenced by cultural and institutional forces, which is why it often becomes a topic of debate.” “But is it better to seek contentment — or to strive to achieve your ambitions?” “According to the two professors, ambition is mostly about striving for status and achievements, their 2012 study revealed.” Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂énts? Proto-Indo-European *h₂m̥bʰider. Proto-Italic *amβi Latin ambi- Proto-Indo-European *h₁ey- Proto-Indo-European *h₁éyti Proto-Italic *ejō Proto-Italic *eō Latin eō Latin ambiō Proto-Indo-European *-tisder. Proto-Italic *-tjō Latin -tiō Latin ambitiōder. Old French ambitionbor. Middle English ambicioun English ambition From Middle English ambicioun, from Old French ambition, from Latin ambitiō (“ambition, a striving for favor, literally 'a going around', especially of candidates for office in Rome soliciting votes”), from ambiō (“I go around, solicit votes”). See ambient, issue.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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