inspiration

/ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən -(ˌ)spi-/ (ame, mw)

inspiration — noun

1. a person, place, object, or experience that fills your mind with fresh ideas and

1.名詞B2
釋義

a person, place, object, or experience that fills your mind with fresh ideas and sparks creativity across fields like art, music, writing, or design.

例句

Minho found inspiration for his ceramic sculptures while walking through the old streets of Seoul at dawn.

collocation: find inspiration for [something]

The fashion designer drew inspiration from traditional Japanese fabric patterns for her new spring collection.

collocation: draw inspiration from [source]

同義詞
  • muse

    a specific person or force that inspires an artist, often used in classical art contexts

  • stimulus

    something that encourages activity or growth, less creative and more scientific than inspiration

  • incentive

    something that motivates action, usually with a practical or material reward, while inspiration is more emotional or creative

反義詞
  • discouragement

    the feeling of losing confidence or motivation, the opposite effect of inspiration

文法句型

inspiration for something

inspiration to do something

draw inspiration from something

source of inspiration

用法筆記

Frequently used with verbs like 'find', 'draw', 'get', 'seek', and 'take'. The preposition 'for' introduces the creative output (inspiration for a poem), while 'from' introduces the source (inspiration from nature).

常見錯誤

❌I had an inspiration for a new recipe while cooking.
✅I got an idea for a new recipe while cooking.
💡'Inspiration' usually refers to the person or thing that sparks the idea, not the idea itself, except in the 'sudden idea' sense (sense 2).
❌She is an inspiration for my book.
✅She is the inspiration for my book.
💡Use the definite article when pointing to a specific person or thing as the source.

2. a sudden, clever thought or solution that appears in your mind without being car

2.名詞B2
釋義

a sudden, clever thought or solution that appears in your mind without being carefully planned or reasoned out.

例句

Vikram had a flash of inspiration in the shower and quickly sketched the design on a fogged-up mirror.

collocation: a flash of inspiration

Inspiration struck Tyler while he was watching the rain hit the window — he finally knew how to end his song.

collocation: inspiration strikes [someone]

同義詞
  • brainwave

    British informal term for a sudden clever idea; less formal than inspiration

  • insight

    a deep understanding of a problem that often leads to a solution, more analytical than a flash of inspiration

文法句型

a flash of inspiration

a stroke of inspiration

inspiration strikes/hits

用法筆記

Often appears in fixed phrases like 'a flash of inspiration' or 'a stroke of inspiration'. The verb pattern 'inspiration strikes/hits [someone]' uses inspiration as the subject acting on the person, not the other way around.

常見錯誤

❌I had an inspiration to eat pizza for dinner.
✅I had an inspiration to restructure the entire database.
💡'Inspiration' in this sense fits important or clever breakthroughs, not everyday decisions or minor choices.

3. a person whose actions, achievements, or qualities inspire others to improve the

3.名詞B2
釋義

a person whose actions, achievements, or qualities inspire others to improve themselves, work harder, or aim higher in their own lives.

例句

After overcoming her illness and returning to competition, Gabriela became an inspiration to young athletes everywhere.

collocation: an inspiration to [someone]

Kian often says his grandfather was the greatest inspiration in his life, teaching him honesty through quiet example.

pattern: [possessive] inspiration in [possessive] life

同義詞
  • role model

    a person whose behaviour is imitated by others; more about specific conduct than general motivation

  • hero

    someone admired for courage or noble qualities; carries a stronger emotional weight than inspiration

  • mentor

    an experienced person who gives guidance; more about direct teaching than indirect influence

文法句型

an inspiration to someone

an inspiration for someone

be an inspiration

用法筆記

Countable only — 'an inspiration'. Typically followed by 'to' (an inspiration to somebody) or 'for' (an inspiration for somebody). The person described is living or recently known; for historical figures, 'an inspiration to generations' is common.

常見錯誤

❌He is my inspiration, so I wear the same clothes as him.
✅He is my inspiration, and his dedication to helping others pushes me to volunteer more.
💡'Inspiration' as a role model implies deep, positive influence on character or achievement, not surface imitation.

4. the physical act of taking air into the body through the nose or mouth; a single

4.名詞C1
釋義

the physical act of taking air into the body through the nose or mouth; a single inward breath, especially when measured or discussed in a medical or scientific context.

例句

The respiratory therapist asked the patient to take a deep inspiration and hold it while the X-ray was taken.

medical context: deep inspiration for imaging

During normal sleep, each inspiration lasts about two seconds, followed by a slightly longer expiration.

同義詞
  • inhalation

    the medical term for breathing in; almost interchangeable with inspiration but slightly more common in clinical writing

  • breath

    general everyday word for a single act of breathing in; less technical than inspiration

反義詞
  • expiration

    the act of breathing out, the opposite phase of the breathing cycle

文法句型

deep inspiration

during inspiration

用法筆記

Primarily a technical or clinical term. In everyday English, 'breathing in' or 'inhalation' is far more common. 'Inspiration' in this sense contrasts with 'expiration' (breathing out). Frequently used in pulmonary function tests and athletic training.

常見錯誤

❌I took a deep inspiration of fresh air.
✅I took a deep breath of fresh air.
💡For everyday breathing, use 'breath' or 'inhalation'; 'inspiration' sounds clinical and out of place in casual conversation.
❌The baby's first inspiration happened right after birth.
✅The baby took his first breath right after birth.
💡'Inspiration' works in a medical chart but sounds unnatural in a personal story about a newborn.

5. a quality or power that stirs deep feelings within people and drives them to tak

5.名詞C1
釋義

a quality or power that stirs deep feelings within people and drives them to take meaningful action, often in a shared or noble cause.

例句

The civil rights leader's words carried a spirit of inspiration that moved an entire generation to demand change.

collocation: spirit of inspiration

What kept the rescue team working through the freezing night was not orders but the quiet inspiration of saving lives.

同義詞
  • motivation

    the general drive to do something; broader and less emotionally charged than inspiration

  • encouragement

    words or actions that give someone confidence; more interpersonal and specific than the abstract power of inspiration

反義詞
  • apathy

    lack of interest or emotion, the opposite of the stirring effect of inspiration

文法句型

a spirit of inspiration

carry inspiration

source of inspiration

用法筆記

Uncountable — never 'an inspiration' in this sense. Closer in meaning to 'emotional drive' or 'moral impetus'. Overlaps with sense 1 (CREATIVE SPARK) but sense 1 is tied to specific creative output, while sense 5 is about general emotional arousal toward action.

常見錯誤

❌His speech gave me an inspiration to study harder.
✅His speech gave me the inspiration to study harder.
💡In the abstract motivating sense, inspiration is uncountable; 'an inspiration' belongs to sense 3 (ROLE MODEL) or sense 2 (GOOD IDEA).
❌The movie was an inspiration for me to start jogging.
✅The movie gave me the inspiration to start jogging.
💡Use 'the inspiration to' for the uncountable motivating force sense; use 'an inspiration for' only when referring to a creative output or a role model.