# inspirational

/ˌɪnspɝˈeɪʃənəɫ/ (US) · /ˌɪnspəɹˈeɪʃənəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inspirational
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. motivating or uplifting

adjective · CEFR B2

making you feel full of hope or giving you the energy to do something great.

For teachers: providing or showing creative or spiritual inspiration; having the quality of motivating others toward positive action or thought.

- The coach gave an inspirational speech that made the team believe they could win.
- Her journey from a small village to a world-renowned scientist is truly inspirational for young students everywhere.

Usage: Often used to describe speeches, leaders, or life stories.

### 2. uplifting media

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a book, article, or video that is made to make people feel positive and motivated.

For teachers: a work of literature or media specifically intended to provide spiritual or emotional encouragement.

- She spends her mornings reading inspirationals to start the day with a positive mind.
- The library maintains a separate section for inspirationals, ranging from religious texts to modern motivational essays.

Teaching tip: The noun form is much less common than the adjective; learners should focus on the adjective use first.

## Examples

- Her speech about overcoming failure was truly inspirational.
- The coach gave an inspirational talk in the locker room that changed the team's mindset for the second half.
- While many find the CEO's rags-to-riches story deeply inspirational, critics argue that such narratives often oversimplify the systemic barriers that prevent others from achieving similar levels of success.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.