Ambition — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /am-ˈbi-shən/ am·bi·tion

Meaning & Definition of Ambition

Ambition (noun)

  1. an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power
  2. desire to achieve a particular end
  3. the object of ambition

Ambition (verb)

  1. to have as one's ambition, desire

Ambition (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. eager desire for personal advancement

    "Talent without ambition will not make you a star, the singer's voice coach liked to remind her"

    similar: ambitiousness, aspiration, go-getting
    related: determination, diligence, drive, energy, enterprise, go, hustle, industry, initiative, motivation, push, aggression, competitiveness, killer instinct, opportunism, overambitiousness, pretentiousness, pushiness, assertiveness, daring, spirit, ardor, avidity, eagerness, keenness, passion, avarice, greed, hunger
    near: apathy, halfheartedness, indifference, unconcern, idleness, indolence, inertia, laziness, lethargy, shiftlessness, sloth

  2. readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity

    "the ambition shown by the undersea explorers of the Mariana Trench, the deepest in the world"

    similar: action, aggressiveness, drive, enterprise, go, hustle, initiative
    related: grit, gumption, pluck, snap, spirit, spunk, starch, ambitiousness, killer instinct, overambitiousness, assertiveness, self-reliance, energy, hardihood, pep, vigor, vitality
    near: inactivity, inertia, passivity, diffidence, faintheartedness, timidity, hesitation, reluctance, indolence, laziness, lethargy

  3. something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

    "his ambition is to study international business, then get a job overseas"

    similar: aim, aspiration, bourne, design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, name of the game
    related: grail, holy grail, plot, project, scheme, desire, hope, mind, wish, nirvana, destination, terminus
    near: means, method, way

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ambition

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ambition:

ambitiousness, aspiration, go-getting, action, aggressiveness, drive, enterprise, go, hustle, initiative, aim, bourne, design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, name of the game

Related Words for Ambition

determination, diligence, energy, industry, motivation, push, aggression, competitiveness, killer instinct, opportunism, overambitiousness, pretentiousness, pushiness, assertiveness, daring, spirit, ardor, avidity, eagerness, keenness, passion, avarice, greed, hunger, grit, gumption, pluck, snap, spunk, starch

Near Antonyms of Ambition

apathy, halfheartedness, indifference, unconcern, idleness, indolence, inertia, laziness, lethargy, shiftlessness, sloth, inactivity, passivity, diffidence, faintheartedness, timidity, hesitation, reluctance, means, method, way

Word Forms of Ambition

Inflections: ambitioned, ambitioning, ambitions

Derived words: ambitionless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Ambition

Middle English ambicioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French ambicion, borrowed from Latin ambitiōn-, ambitiō "act of soliciting for votes, running for public office, striving after popularity, desire for advancement," from ambīre "to encircle, visit in rotation, solicit (political support), seek to obtain" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action ambient:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Ambition

Words & Phrases Containing Ambition

life's ambition

Frequently Asked Questions about Ambition

What does "Ambition" mean?

"Ambition" means an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ambition"?

Other words for "Ambition" include ambitiousness, aspiration, go-getting, action, aggressiveness, drive, enterprise and go. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ambition" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ambition"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ambition". Common alternatives include ambitiousness, aspiration, go-getting, action, aggressiveness, drive, enterprise, go, hustle and initiative.

How do you use "Ambition" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ambition" in a sentence: "Talent without ambition will not make you a star, the singer's voice coach liked to remind her"; "the ambition shown by the undersea explorers of the Mariana Trench, the deepest in the world"; "his ambition is to study international business, then get a job overseas".

Is "Ambition" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ambition" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Ambition" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Ambition" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Ambition"?

"Ambition" is pronounced /am-ˈbi-shən/ and divided into syllables as am·bi·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Ambition"?

"Ambition" comes from Middle English ambicioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French ambicion, borrowed from Latin ambitiōn-, ambitiō "act of soliciting for votes, running for public office, striving after popularity, desire for advancement," from ambīre "to encircle, visit in rotation, solicit (political support), seek to obtain" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action ambient:1. First known use: 14th century.