inspire

[ in-spahyuhr ]

verb (used with object)

, in·spired, in·spir·ing.

1. to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence:

   His courage inspired his followers.

2. to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.):

   to inspire confidence in others.

3. to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc.:

   to inspire a person with distrust.

4. to influence or impel:

   Competition inspired her to greater efforts.

5. to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does:

   They were inspired by a belief in a better future.

6. to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence:

   writings inspired by God.

7. to guide or control by divine influence.
8. to prompt or instigate (utterances, acts, etc.) by influence, without avowal of responsibility.
9. to give rise to, bring about, cause, etc.:

   a philosophy that inspired a revolution.

10. to take (air, gases, etc.) into the lungs in breathing; inhale.
11. Archaic.
    1. to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually followed by into ).
    2. to breathe into or upon.

verb (used without object)

, in·spired, in·spir·ing.

1. to give inspiration.
2. to inhale.

inspire

/ ɪnˈspaɪə /

verb

1. to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon (a person); animate or invigorate
2. tr; foll by with or to; may take an infinitive to arouse (with a particular emotion or to a particular action); stir
3. tr to prompt or instigate; give rise to

   her beauty inspired his love

4. tr; often passive to guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration
5. to take or draw (air, gas, etc) into the lungs; inhale
6. archaic.
   tr
   1. to breathe into or upon
   2. to breathe life into

Derived Forms

• inˈspirative, adjective
• inˈspiringly, adverb
• inˈspirer, noun
• inˈspirable, adjective

Other Words From

• in·spir·a·tive [in-, spahyuhr, -, uh, -tiv, in, -spi-rey-tiv], adjective
• in·spirer noun
• in·spiring·ly adverb
• prein·spire verb (used with object) preinspired preinspiring
• pseudo·in·spiring adjective
• rein·spire verb reinspired reinspiring
• unin·spiring adjective
• unin·spiring·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspire¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English inspiren, from Latin inspīrāre “to breathe upon, breathe into,” equivalent to in- in- ²( def ) + spīrāre “to breathe”

Word History and Origins

Origin of inspire¹

C14 (in the sense: to breathe upon, blow into): from Latin inspīrāre, from spīrāre to breathe

Example Sentences

The attention inspired him to record a demo and eventually to try Nashville a second time.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Allen-Wyatt is seen as an influential figure in Welsh women's football and has regularly spoken about her wish to inspire younger players.

From BBC

"My sister, three years younger than me, has suffered from panic disorder for many years. She continues to inspire my research questions and my dedication to answering them."

From Science Daily

The Los Angeles Flower District is a great place to explore and get inspired, but advance footwork is crucial for success.

From Los Angeles Times

She is investigating ways to help people feel hopeful, inspired and compassionate about political challenges, since these emotions can motivate action without triggering stress and anxiety.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affect
• animate
• arouse
• cause
• embolden
• excite
• galvanize
• get
• hearten
• impress
• influence
• instill
• motivate
• produce
• provoke
• spark
• spur
• stir
• sway
• touch