Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
aspirational
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"aspirational" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something having ambitious goals, plans, or aspirations. For example, "She was an aspirational student, always striving to do her best and excel in her academics."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Science
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Glasby believes too little is being done to turn commissioning into a career of choice for future public service leaders: "If you are a young, bright, aspirational 18-year-old, what is there out there to make commissioning attractive?" This article is published by Guardian Professional.
News & Media
The smooth-talking Streatham MP who increased his majority by more than 10,000 has wasted no time in setting out his case about where Labour went wrong: not aspirational enough, too much focus on the very rich and very poor, and a failure to be pro-business.
News & Media
Related: After Labour's election horror, the soul-searching begins There is plenty of space for a social democratic party in Britain capable of speaking for two-thirds of the country or more, and able to appeal to both aspirational and left-behind voters.
News & Media
Comic performance art was also in on the act, with Figs in Wigs taking an off-kilter look at female objectification in We Object, while in the charming but disturbing show Credible, Likeable Superstar Role Model, Bryony Kimmings and her nine year old niece Taylor, created an alterative aspirational pop star – complete with dance moves – to look at the sexualisation of tween girls.
News & Media
My aspirational family is £1,100 richer under the new government after I bet £100 on a Tory majority.
News & Media
An unabashed extension of the Thatcherite right to buy for 1.3m families in housing association properties will be at the centre of an aspirational Tory manifesto due to be launched on Tuesday in the West Country.
News & Media
Getting rid of student debt, lightening the burden of local taxation and encouraging small businesses, argued Sturgeon in 2006, was all intended "to give individuals a fair crack of the whip … aspirational policies about people progressing and making the most of themselves".
News & Media
He said that he would also build "a coalition of voters – those who voted yes, those who are aspirational and who want to build a stronger economy".
News & Media
They help tell the story of the era and indicate the type of aspirational audience the magazine was hoping to reach out to every Sunday.
News & Media
The party has captured a whole new constituency of aspirational, middle-class Catholic voters who are less turned on by the politics of street protest than their old base.
News & Media
But she said apart from some crude and small scale endeavours, the conventional wisdom had been the Islamic State group's intention to acquire and weaponise chemical agents was largely aspirational.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Combine "aspirational" with specific nouns to create more impactful descriptions. For instance, "aspirational lifestyle", "aspirational goals", or "aspirational brand".
Common error
Avoid using "aspirational" when you mean "inspirational". "Aspirational" relates to personal ambition and goals, while "inspirational" relates to motivating or encouraging others.
Source & Trust
90%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The word "aspirational" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as something that inspires ambition or a desire for achievement. Ludwig AI states that the word follows standard grammar rules.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Formal & Business
20%
Science
10%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Wiki
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "aspirational" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that inspires ambition and the desire for upward mobility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. It appears most commonly in News & Media, and Formal & Business contexts. When using "aspirational", remember to focus on the desire for achievement and avoid confusing it with "inspirational". Consider alternatives like "ambitious" or "goal-oriented" to refine your meaning.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
ambitious
Replaces "aspirational" with a direct synonym that emphasizes the drive to achieve.
goal-oriented
Highlights the focus on achieving specific objectives, rather than general ambition.
success-driven
Emphasizes the pursuit of success as the primary motivation.
motivated
A more general term indicating a desire to act or achieve, applicable in broader contexts.
high-achieving
Focuses on a track record of accomplishments, rather than just the desire to achieve.
eager to succeed
Expresses enthusiasm and a strong desire for positive outcomes.
with lofty goals
Emphasizes the high or elevated nature of the objectives.
ambitious and determined
Adds an element of resolve to the ambition, indicating a strong will to overcome obstacles.
career-oriented
Specifically relates the ambition to professional development and advancement.
striving for excellence
Focuses on the pursuit of high quality and superior performance.
FAQs
How can I use "aspirational" in a sentence?
You can use "aspirational" to describe something that people want to achieve or become, like "an aspirational lifestyle" or "aspirational goals".
What are some synonyms for "aspirational"?
Alternatives to "aspirational" include "ambitious", "goal-oriented", and "success-driven".
Is it correct to describe a person as "aspirational"?
While less common, describing a person as "aspirational" is grammatically correct, implying they embody qualities others aspire to. However, it's more common to describe their goals or qualities as "aspirational".
What's the difference between "aspirational" and "inspirational"?
"Aspirational" relates to personal ambition and wanting to achieve something, while "inspirational" refers to something that motivates or encourages you. For example, a role model might be inspirational, leading you to set aspirational goals.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
90%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested