aspirant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aspirant" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who is aspiring to achieve a particular goal, often in a professional or academic context. Example: "As an aspirant for the scholarship, she worked diligently to improve her grades and extracurricular activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some aspirant militants are believed to have avoided surveillance by Indian authorities.

The Guardian

The policy of avoiding criminalising prospective Isis volunteers is opposed by national-level intelligence agencies who believe it may encourage extremism by allowing aspirant militants to avoid any sanction.

The Guardian

Business may be globalised, but advertising is not – as anybody who has seen the limited range of airline and IBM commercials on an international news channel can testify – meaning that it is necessary for any aspirant to develop scale or find a lucrative niche if they are to generate revenues to match the numbers of unique visitors.

The Guardian

Perhaps unfairly, Paul is often referred to as a "second-tier" Republican presidential aspirant, after Jeb Bush, the son of George Bush and brother of George HW Bush, Florida senator Marco Rubio, and Scott Walker, governor of Wisconsin.

The Guardian

This focus was achieved through a leadership training programme for existing and aspirant leaders, and professional development and support for teachers seeking to improve their teaching.

The Guardian

It wasn't a dispute about who was the better leader, or whether it was time for generational change or whether the incumbent had reneged on a deal to hand over to the impatient aspirant.

The Guardian

There is also a worry that the leaders of some current and aspirant nuclear powers may be less risk-averse than their cold-war analogues.

The Economist

Oddly, given the EU's huge impact in democratising aspirant members, the union has few powers over the political order of countries once they join short of the "nuclear option" of suspending voting rights.As a form of peer pressure, the commission is planning to draw up a "scoreboard" of members' justice systems.

The Economist

Online bookings are usually impossible, as the hotels like to vet aspirant visitors and check their credit limit before allowing them access to the suites.

The Economist

Unless he yields, many aspirant teachers will see their hopes dashed.

The Economist

That defeat marked the start of a little-known three-year political exile for the aspirant leader.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aspirant" to specifically denote someone who is actively striving for a particular position or recognition, particularly in professional or political contexts. For example: "an aspirant politician".

Common error

Avoid using "aspirant" interchangeably with "aspiring". "Aspirant" is a noun referring to the person, while "aspiring" is an adjective describing their ambition or desire. For example, say "an aspirant writer" instead of "an aspiring writer" if you want to emphasize the person's status as someone seeking to become a writer.

Linguistic Context

The word "aspirant" functions as both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it refers to a person who aspires to a particular goal or position. As an adjective, it describes something that is striving for recognition. As confirmed by Ludwig, the term is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aspirant" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and an adjective, commonly used to describe individuals actively pursuing a specific goal, particularly in professional or political arenas. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its usage spans various contexts, with a higher frequency in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While related terms like "candidate" or "contender" exist, "aspirant" carries a distinct nuance of striving and ambition, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

candidate

Refers to a person who is nominated for election or appointment to an office.

hopeful candidate

Emphasizes the element of hope and the status of being a candidate.

prospective applicant

Highlights the aspect of applying and the potential for future acceptance.

contender

Focuses on the competitive aspect of striving for a position or achievement.

seeker

Highlights the act of seeking or pursuing a goal or position.

emerging talent

Highlights the potential and rising status of the individual.

wannabe

Informal term indicating someone who desires to be like someone else or achieve something.

up-and-comer

Informal term for someone likely to succeed.

entrant

Focuses on the action of entering a competition or field.

beginner

Implies someone starting on a path to achieve something.

FAQs

How is the word "aspirant" typically used in a sentence?

The word "aspirant" can be used as a noun, referring to a person who aspires to something, or as an adjective, describing something that is striving for recognition. For example, "He is an aspirant for the position of CEO" or "The country is an aspirant member of the European Union".

What are some alternatives to the word "aspirant"?

Some alternatives to "aspirant" include "candidate", "contender", "hopeful candidate", or "prospective applicant". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "aspiring" instead of "aspirant"?

While both terms are related, they are not interchangeable. "Aspirant" is a noun, referring to the person, while "aspiring" is an adjective, describing their ambition. For example, you would say "an aspirant teacher" (noun) but describe them as "an aspiring person" (adjective).

What is the difference between a "candidate" and an "aspirant"?

A "candidate" is someone who has been formally nominated or is actively seeking a position, whereas an "aspirant" is generally someone who is simply striving or hoping to achieve something. A "candidate" is further along in the process.