inspiration
n. C / Un. a sudden good idea that makes you want to create something or do something new. It is the feeling of being excited and encouraged by a person, place, or thing.
n. a sudden burst of creativity or a person or thing that motivates such a state. Often used to describe the external source that triggers an internal creative impulse.
The beautiful sunset gave the artist the inspiration for her next painting.
Many young writers find inspiration in the works of classic authors, using those old stories to spark their own modern ideas.
While some believe that creative genius is purely innate, most professionals argue that consistent work is what eventually invites the inspiration necessary to complete a masterpiece.
From Middle English inspiracioun, from Old French inspiration, from Late Latin īnspīrātiōnem (nominative: īnspīrātiō), from Latin īnspīrātus (past participle of inspīrō). By surface analysis, inspire + -ation. Displaced native Old English onbryrdnes (literally “in-pricked-ness”).
Uncountable when referring to the general feeling of being inspired; countable when referring to a specific person or idea that provides it.
He is a big inspiration for meHe is a great inspiration to meWhen describing the person who provides the feeling, 'inspiration' typically takes the preposition 'to' rather than 'for'.