ambition
/æmˈbɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · [æmbˈɪʃən] /æmˈbɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · [æmbˈɪʃən] /am-ˈbi-shən/ (ame, mw)
ambition — noun
- ambitionsingular
- ambitionsplural
1. a determined desire to reach a particular result or way of life, especially one
a determined desire to reach a particular result or way of life, especially one that matters deeply to you
Minh's ambition is to design safer bicycles for city children.
ambition + is + to-infinitive
After college, Elise pursued her ambition to open a small bakery.
Rania's childhood ambition of becoming a pilot never really left her.
Winning the science prize brought Mauricio closer to his ambition.
- goal
more neutral and practical; it can describe smaller or shorter-term aims than 'ambition'
- aspiration
more formal and often used in education or career contexts
- dream
more emotional and less tied to a concrete plan than 'ambition'
- aimlessness
a lack of any clear direction or goal
文法句型
ambition to + verb
ambition of + -ing
用法筆記
Usually followed by a to-infinitive or by of + -ing when you name the aim itself. Distinguish from sense 2 (DRIVE FOR SUCCESS), which is about a person's hunger for status or power rather than one particular goal.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of wanting success, status, or influence very strongly, often enough
the quality of wanting success, status, or influence very strongly, often enough to shape your choices
Dylan's ambition pushed him to compete for every leadership role.
ambition as a driving personal trait
The senator hid his ambition behind friendly jokes and careful smiles.
Dahlia admired talent, but she distrusted naked ambition in politics.
Too much ambition made the young manager ignore his exhausted staff.
- drive
more neutral and often positive; it stresses energy and effort more than status
- hunger
more forceful and informal, often suggesting aggressive desire
- aspiration
usually sounds more idealistic and less morally risky than 'ambition'
- contentment
being satisfied with what you already have instead of pushing for more
- humility
not seeking power or high status for yourself
文法句型
have ambition
show ambition
用法筆記
Often used for career, money, or political advancement, and it can sound negative if the desire seems selfish or ruthless. Distinguish from sense 1 (PERSONAL GOAL), which names one specific aim rather than this general trait.
ambition — verb
- ambitionpresent simple I / you / we / they
- ambitions3rd person singular
- ambitioning-ing form
- ambitionedpast simple
1. to aim for something so strongly that it becomes the result you most want to rea
to aim for something so strongly that it becomes the result you most want to reach
In his letters, the young poet ambitioned lasting fame.
formal transitive use with a goal noun
After his father's illness, the prince openly ambitioned the throne.
Adina never ambitioned great wealth; she wanted steady work instead.
The reformer ambitioned a fairer school system for rural children.
- renounce
to give up a claim to something you might otherwise try to gain
文法句型
ambition + noun
用法筆記
Rare and formal, often found in literary or historical writing. It usually takes a noun object such as 'the throne', 'fame', or 'great wealth', rather than a to-infinitive clause.