English Reference
adjective

aspiring

adj.
US /əˈspaɪɹɪŋ/ UK /ɐspˈaɪəɹɪŋ/ as·pir·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    used to describe someone who wants to be a particular type of person, like an actor or a writer.

    describing a person who has ambitions to achieve a particular profession or status; almost always used before a noun.

    Simple

    The café was full of aspiring actors waiting for their big break.

    In context

    The workshop was specifically designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the networking opportunities and capital necessary to launch their first startups.

    Usage

    Typically functions as an attributive adjective, appearing immediately before the noun it modifies.

One of the biggest mistakes aspiring founders make is waiting for everything to be perfect so Wong recommends following an "80-20 rule".

BBC News· 19 Aug 2026

No amount of wounded upspeak can disguise the fact that she is an aspiring artist in much the same way a bag of flour is an aspiring pastry.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated