Basic Details
Word: Aspiration
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A strong hope or ambition to achieve something.
Synonyms: ambition, goal, dream, aim
How to Spell Aspiration
Syllables: as - pi - ra - tion
Tricky part: Every consonant is single: one s, one p, one r. The vowel after p is i, because the word comes from aspire.
Watch out for: asperation, aspiretion, asspiration
Memory tip: A spire is the tall point on top of a church, aiming at the sky. Find spire inside aspiration: your aspirations point upwards too. Drop the e of aspire and add ation.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Neha's lifelong aspiration is to open a free school in her village.
Example 2: The film tells the story of a boy from a small town with big aspirations.
Example 3: Many students share the aspiration of studying at an IIT.
Fun Fact
In phonetics, aspiration is the small puff of breath after some sounds; Hindi uses it to tell pal (moment) from phal (fruit).
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word aspiration as used in the sentence:
His only aspiration was to play cricket for his state before he turned twenty.
a) regret
b) habit
c) fear
d) ambition
Show answer
d) ambition. An aspiration is something you hope hard to achieve, which is an ambition.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
as_ir_tion
a) b, a
b) s, a
c) p, e
d) p, a
Show answer
d) p, a. The word is aspire + ation: p from aspire, then the a of the -ation ending.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. determination 2. asperation 3. perseverance 4. dedication
a) continuing to try even when it is hard
b) a strong hope or ambition
c) firmness of purpose in sticking to a plan
d) giving a lot of time and effort to a task
Show answer
b) a strong hope or ambition. Think of aspire: the i after the p stays in aspiration, and the list has an e there instead.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which sentence shows an aspiration?
a) It rained all through Sunday.
b) The bus was late this morning.
c) I had rice and dal for lunch.
d) I hope to become a doctor one day.
Show answer
d) I hope to become a doctor one day.
2. A person full of aspiration is ____.
a) tired of working hard
b) afraid of trying new things
c) eager to achieve something
d) happy to do nothing
Show answer
c) eager to achieve something
