inspiration

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a person, place, or thing that makes you want to improve or do something great.

n. a person or thing that serves as a source of creative or moral influence.

“My grandmother was a huge inspiration to me because she went back to university at age sixty.”

“The young athlete cited her coach as a primary inspiration, noting that his dedication shaped her own professional work ethic.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a sudden, clever idea that helps you solve a problem or create something new.

n. a sudden brilliant or timely idea, often appearing to arrive without conscious effort.

“In a flash of inspiration, he realized he could use the old wood to build a bookshelf.”

“The scientist had a sudden inspiration while walking home, leading to a breakthrough in the experimental design that had previously stalled.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Medicine Technical

n. the act of breathing air into your lungs.

n. the physiological act of drawing air into the lungs; the opposite of expiration.

“The doctor asked the patient to hold their breath after a deep inspiration.”

“During the physical examination, the physician noted that the patient experienced sharp chest pain specifically upon deep inspiration.”