Word
aspirant
Phoneticsas·pi·rant, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæspɝənt/
UK/ˈæspəɹənt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who wants to reach an important goal, like a good job or a place at a university, and works hard for it. You use this word for someone trying to become something.
n. a person seeking to attain a particular office, honour, or professional status, usually in competition with others.
Examples
“She is an aspirant for the national chess team.”
“As an aspirant to medical school, he studies biology every evening and volunteers at a local clinic.”
“The debate brought together presidential aspirants from across the country to outline their visions for economic reform and public health.”
Examples
simple
“She is an aspirant for the national chess team.”
contextual
“As an aspirant to medical school, he studies biology every evening and volunteers at a local clinic.”
complex
“The debate brought together presidential aspirants from across the country to outline their visions for economic reform and public health.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “aspirant” in context.
Verb
01. aspirant applies
“Every aspirant applies through a competitive national selection process.”
noun + verb
02. aspirant campaigns
“The young aspirant campaigns actively across university campuses.”
noun + verb
03. aspirant competes
“Each aspirant competes for only two places on the executive training scheme.”
noun + verb
04. encourage aspirant
“Teachers should encourage every aspirant to gain practical work experience.”
verb + noun
05. interview aspirant
“The panel will interview each aspirant for the doctoral programme next week.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. ambitious aspirant
“Every ambitious aspirant must build both skills and professional networks.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. aspirant for office
“He is widely regarded as a serious aspirant for high public office.”
noun + prep + noun
08. aspirant to leadership
“The course is designed for aspirants to leadership in healthcare.”
noun + prep + noun
09. aspirant to presidency
“She emerged as a leading aspirant to the presidency after the primaries.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a crowd of presidential aspirants
“A crowd of presidential aspirants joined the televised debate.”
11. aspirant to the presidency
“She is now considered a leading aspirant to the presidency.”
12. field of young aspirants
“The programme attracted a strong field of young aspirants.”
Usage
Typically followed by 'to', 'for', or 'of' to name the position or goal sought.
Pitfall
she is aspirant singer
she is an aspiring singer
Aspirant is a noun for the person; use the adjective aspiring before another noun.
Etymology
Borrowed from French aspirant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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