inspiration
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a person, place, or thing that gives you new and exciting ideas.
a person or thing that serves as a source of creative or intellectual stimulation.
Simple“My grandmother was a huge inspiration to me when I was learning to paint.”
In context“The rugged coastline of Cornwall served as a primary inspiration for the novelist's most celebrated works of historical fiction.”
UsageCountable in this sense.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a sudden good idea that comes to you.
a sudden brilliant or timely idea that arises without apparent effort.
Simple“In a sudden flash of inspiration, she realized how to fix the broken engine.”
In context“The solution to the complex mathematical proof came to him in a sudden moment of inspiration while he was walking through the park.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'a flash of inspiration'.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
a special power from God that helps people understand or write religious truths.
a divine influence believed to be exerted on the mind or soul of a person, especially a prophet or writer.
Simple“Many people believe the ancient texts were written under divine inspiration.”
In context“Theologians debated whether the scripture was a product of direct divine inspiration or a human interpretation of spiritual experiences.”
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
the act of breathing air into your lungs.
the physiological act of drawing air into the lungs; inhalation.
Simple“The doctor asked the patient to hold their breath after a deep inspiration.”
In context“The patient's inspiration was shallow and labored, suggesting a potential obstruction in the upper respiratory tract.”
UsageThe opposite of expiration in a medical context.
SynonymsAntonymsexpirationexhalation
“While some situations may sound farcical, Brewis said he had plenty of real life examples to draw on as inspiration.”
“Photograph: Eleanor Storey/PA Among those waiting to pay their respects to Tyler was Carys Edwards, 18, who said the singer was “an inspiration to everybody”.”
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.