Aspirations: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to long-term, often idealistic or high-minded desired outcomes. Often used in formal or professional contexts.

• She has aspirations to become the CEO of the company one day
• His aspirations include making significant contributions to environmental conservation

Focuses on strong desires and determination to achieve success or power. This term is often used in both personal and professional contexts.

• His ambitions drove him to work late nights and weekends
• She has ambitions of becoming a world-renowned artist

Specific, measurable, and often short to medium-term targets that a person sets out to achieve. Commonly used in professional, academic, and personal development contexts.

• My goal is to run a marathon by the end of the year
• She set a goal to improve her grades this semester

Imaginative thoughts or ideas about what someone wishes to become or achieve. Used in both a literal sense (nighttime dreams) and a figurative sense (long-term desires). Often carries a more personal and emotional tone.

• She dreams of traveling around the world
• His childhood dreams included flying to the moon

This is a broad term that can refer to someone's hopes and dreams in various aspects of life, not just career or professional life.

• She has high aspirations for her future, including traveling the world and starting her own business.
• His aspirations include becoming a published author someday.

This term is specific to one's professional life and refers to the objectives or milestones one aims to achieve in their career.

• Her career goals involve rising to a senior management position within the next five years.
• One of his career goals is to gain international work experience.

Similar to career goals, professional ambitions also focus on one's career but often imply a sense of determination and drive to achieve significant accomplishments.

• Despite numerous challenges, his professional ambitions remain undeterred.
• Her professional ambitions include establishing a successful tech startup.

Same as the first 'aspirations'. It's a general term for one's hopes and dreams for the future, not confined solely to academics.

• They have great aspirations for their future careers
• Their aspirations include traveling around the world

Refers specifically to targets and objectives related to one's education and learning achievements.

• Her educational goals include completing a PhD program
• Setting clear educational goals helped him stay focused in school

Specifically focused on goals and dreams related to academic achievements and success.

• He has academic ambitions to graduate at the top of his class
• Her academic ambitions led her to apply to several prestigious universities