ambition

ambition

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Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling:

• /æmˈbɪʃən/ (General American, Received Pronunciation)

• am - /æm/ (as in "am")

• bi - /bɪ/ (as in "bit")

• tion - /ʃən/ (as in "nation" or "motion")

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Word Form Variations

Noun:

• Singular: ambition

• Plural: ambitions

Adjective:

• ambitious (e.g., "an ambitious plan")

• (There isn't a direct verb form "to ambition" in common modern English usage, although historically "to ambition" meant "to covet" or "to aspire to." The related verb is "aspire.")

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

1. A strong desire to do or achieve something, especially for success, power, or fame.

• Synonyms: aspiration, goal, objective, aim, drive, determination, zeal, hunger

• Antonyms: apathy, indifference, complacency, contentment, laziness, idleness

2. The object or goal of one's strong desire; the particular thing one hopes to achieve.

• Synonyms: aim, goal, objective, aspiration, dream, pursuit

• Antonyms: (None directly applicable as it refers to a desired outcome)

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "Macbeth's vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th' other." (William Shakespeare, Macbeth, c. 1606)

• Newspapers:

• "The government's bold new infrastructure plan reflects its ambition to transform the nation's transportation network." (The Standard, Nairobi)

• Online Publications:

• "Many tech startups are fueled by the ambition to disrupt established industries and redefine customer experiences." (TechCrunch)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "My ambition is to one day play at Wembley Stadium, in front of thousands of screaming fans." (Footballer interview on YouTube sports channel, May 2025)

• "She possesses a quiet ambition, a steely resolve that drives her to always be better than she was yesterday." (Character description in a popular TV drama, Succession, televised 2018-2023)

• "Our company's ambition is to become carbon neutral by 2030." (CEO statement in a corporate sustainability video)

• General Public Discourse:

• "He has a lot of ambition to succeed in his career."

• "Her ambition to learn new languages is truly inspiring."

• "Don't let your ambition blind you to the needs of others."

• "The young artist's latest work shows incredible ambition and creativity."

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10 Quotes Using Ambition

1. "Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself / And falls on th' other." (William Shakespeare, Macbeth, c. 1606)

2. "I have no ambition to please the world." (Queen Victoria)

3. "Big ambition is a dream with a V8 engine." (Elvis Presley)

4. "Ambition without knowledge is a boat on dry land." (Common proverb, widely attributed)

5. "The greater the ambition, the harder the fall." (Proverb, widely attributed)

6. "Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in." (Bill Bradley)

7. "Power is not my ambition. I was drawn into this to help my country." (Nelson Mandela)

8. "Man's ambition is to be immortal. His life is a brief candle." (William Shakespeare, Macbeth – a paraphrase of "Life's but a walking shadow..." but captures the essence of ambition from the play)

9. "The last ambition of a good man is to die for his country." (Horace, Roman lyric poet)

10. "Ambition is putting a ladder up to a sky without a roof." (George Bernard Shaw)

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Etymology

The word "ambition" has a fascinating origin that takes us back to ancient Roman political life.

It comes from the Latin word "ambitio" or "ambitionem," which literally meant "a going around." This might seem strange for its modern meaning, but it referred to candidates for public office in ancient Rome literally going around (ambire) to solicit votes, shaking hands and drumming up support. It was a physical act of canvassing.

From this physical act of "going around," the meaning of "ambitio" evolved to mean "a seeking of favor," then "a striving for honor or popularity," and eventually "a desire for power or distinction." It started with the act of seeking office and transitioned to the strong desire that drives that seeking.

The word "ambition" came into English from Old French ("ambicion") in the late 14th century (around the 1300s).

So, the first known use and meaning of "ambition" in English was directly tied to this Roman sense: a strong desire for power, honor, or distinction, especially in a political or public career. Over centuries, it broadened to include any strong desire or drive to achieve something, whether for personal success, professional goals, or even just a challenging task.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Ambition

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "ambition":

• Vaulting ambition (overreaching or excessive ambition, often leading to downfall)

• Burning ambition (intense, fervent desire)

• Blind ambition (ambition pursued without regard for consequences or ethics)

• Personal ambition

• Political ambition

• Naked ambition (raw, undisguised, often ruthless ambition)

• Achieve one's ambition

• Fulfill an ambition

• Lack of ambition

• Driven by ambition

• The height of ambition (the ultimate goal)

• Harbor an ambition (to secretly hold a strong desire)

• Curb one's ambition (to limit one's aspirations)

• Swell with aspiration (using a synonym for similar effect)

• A grand design (using a synonym for a big ambition)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of ambition from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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