Ambition VS aspiration

Question

What's the difference between ambition and aspiration?

Gigilian Nguyen · Accepted Answer

I think that ambition is a strong desire to achive something, and aspiration is a strong desire or an ambition. There's nothing really different between these two nouns, but aspiration is a strong desire or an ambition, that means ambition has a larger meaning and ambition comprises aspiration or aspiration is included in ambition.

For ex:

Flower comprises: daisy, rose, lily, carnation... so we say that rose is included in flower.

Ambition comprises: desire, craving, aspiration... so we say that aspiration is included on ambition.

It is just my own idea maybe it's a little difficult to understand as well, what about yours?

Hope you'll get a good result [F]

Bye bye.

Anonymous · Answer

My Master Gave a quotation once..

We will not fuel our children here with ambition; we will fuel them with aspiration. One is for acquisition; ambition means more houses, better cars, walk-in refrigerators, things like that. Aspiration is for excellence, without thinking of reward.

Thanks & Regards.

Sinitic · Answer

In order to make out the difference, you should know the etymologies of the two words.
Once you know the etymologies, you won't ask such question again.
Use this site: http://www.etymonline.com
I can give some words pertinent to these two words for your pondering.
ambitious ambient
aspire expire transpire respire conspire spirit perspire aspirate

Anonymous · Answer

Ambition - Doing something to become something

Aspiration - Doing something without expecting anything.

Anonymous · Answer

I would further refine this definition by saying that, to me, ambition implies a realistically attainable goal,whereas an aspiration could exist without ever being fulfilled.

Ambition VS aspiration

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬