Finesentence logo

Ambition: meaning, definitions and examples

💪
Add to dictionary

ambition

 

[ æmˈbɪʃən ]

Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

career aspiration

A strong desire to achieve something great or succeed in a particular field, often linked to one's career goals. Ambition is the determination and drive to pursue challenging objectives and overcome obstacles.

Synonyms

aspiration, determination, drive

Examples of usage

  • She has the ambition to become the CEO of the company one day.
  • His ambition is to win a Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking research.
  • Despite facing many setbacks, her ambition to succeed never wavered.
Context #2 | Noun

personal goals

A compelling goal or dream that motivates a person to work hard and strive for excellence in various aspects of life. Ambition can encompass not only professional success but also personal growth and fulfillment.

Synonyms

desire, dream, goal

Examples of usage

  • His ambition is to travel the world and experience different cultures.
  • She pursued her ambition of becoming a published author with unwavering dedication.
  • Their shared ambition to make a positive impact on society brought them together.
Context #3 | Noun

negative connotation

An excessive or ruthless desire for power, fame, or success, often at the expense of others. Ambition in this sense can lead to unethical behavior or a disregard for moral principles.

Synonyms

greed, ruthlessness, selfishness

Examples of usage

  • His unchecked ambition drove him to betray his closest friends in pursuit of wealth.
  • The politician's ambition knew no bounds, leading to corruption and scandal.
  • She was willing to sacrifice anything to satisfy her insatiable ambition for power.

Translations

Translations of the word "ambition" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ambição

🇮🇳 महत्त्वाकांक्षा

🇩🇪 Ambition

🇮🇩 ambisi

🇺🇦 амбіція

🇵🇱 ambicja

🇯🇵 野心 (やしん)

🇫🇷 ambition

🇪🇸 ambición

🇹🇷 hırs

🇰🇷 야망 (야망)

🇸🇦 طموح

🇨🇿 ambice

🇸🇰 ambícia

🇨🇳 野心 (yěxīn)

🇸🇮 ambicija

🇮🇸 metnaður

🇰🇿 амбиция

🇬🇪 ამბიცია

🇦🇿 ambisiya

🇲🇽 ambición

Etymology

The word 'ambition' originated from the Latin word 'ambitio', meaning 'a going around'. In ancient Rome, 'ambitio' referred to the practice of candidates for public office canvassing for votes by going around the city. Over time, the meaning evolved to signify a strong desire for achievement or success. Ambition has been a driving force behind countless individuals throughout history, propelling them to great accomplishments and inspiring others to reach for their own dreams.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,578 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.