ambition
B1Neutral to Formal. Common in both formal and semi-formal contexts. The verb 'to ambition' and adjective 'ambitious' are more frequent.
Definition
Meaning
a strong desire and determination to achieve something significant, especially success, power, or fame.
Can also refer to the specific goal or object of such desire (e.g., 'His ambition is to become a doctor'). Can sometimes imply an excessive or ruthless desire for success.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Generally a positive, commendable quality, but context can shift it to a negative connotation (e.g., 'blind ambition', 'ruthless ambition'). It implies sustained effort towards a long-term goal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Both use the noun and adjective 'ambitious' equally.
Connotations
Slight tendency in British English to associate it more with social status or position, whereas American English may emphasise personal achievement and material success.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to have an ambition to do somethingto achieve/fulfil/realise an ambitionto be full of ambitionto be driven by ambitionambition for somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ambition is the last refuge of the failure. (Oscar Wilde)”
- “to burn with ambition”
- “to nurse an ambition”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to company goals, expansion plans, or career progression. (e.g., 'The firm's ambition is to dominate the Asian market.')
Academic
Used in social sciences and humanities to discuss historical figures, political motives, or societal drivers.
Everyday
Commonly used to discuss personal life goals, career plans, or children's dreams. (e.g., 'What's your ambition for this year?')
Technical
Rarely used in hard sciences. May appear in computing/AI for goal-oriented systems ('the agent's ambition').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He had long ambitioned a seat in the Cabinet.
- Few still ambition that particular honour.
American English
- She ambitioned to be CEO by the age of 40. (rare, formal/archaic)
adverb
British English
- He worked ambitiously towards his goal. (from 'ambitious')
- The project was ambitiously scoped.
American English
- She pursued her career ambitions ambitiously.
- They ambitiously planned to launch three products.
adjective
British English
- She comes from an ambitious working-class family.
- The plans were dismissed as overly ambitious.
American English
- He's a highly ambitious young lawyer.
- They set an ambitious fundraising target.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Her ambition is to be a teacher.
- He has no ambition to travel.
- My main ambition is to learn English fluently.
- She is a person of great ambition.
- His burning ambition to become an actor never wavered.
- The government's ambitions for educational reform were ultimately scaled back.
- While his ambition was laudable, his methods were often Machiavellian.
- The novel explores the corrosive effects of unchecked political ambition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'AM' (morning) and 'MISSION'. Your ambition is what gets you up in the morning for your mission.
Conceptual Metaphor
AMBITION IS A FIRE / A JOURNEY / A FUEL. (e.g., 'burning ambition', 'path to fulfilling his ambitions', 'fuel her ambition').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'амбиция' directly in all contexts. Russian 'амбиция' often has a strong negative connotation of unwarranted pride or arrogance, while English 'ambition' is primarily positive. Use 'стремление', 'цель', 'честолюбие' more carefully.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ambitions' (plural) incorrectly as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'She has a lot of ambition' vs. 'She has many ambitions'). Confusing 'ambition' (noun) with 'ambitious' (adjective).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best captures the potentially negative aspect of 'ambition'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily positive, denoting a praiseworthy desire to achieve. It becomes negative when modified by words like 'ruthless', 'blind', 'naked', or in contexts suggesting selfishness.
'Ambition' is the inner drive or desire itself, often grand and long-term. A 'goal' is the specific, often smaller, target set to satisfy that ambition. An ambition fuels the pursuit of goals.
Yes, 'to ambition' exists but is rare, formal, and often considered archaic or stilted. The adjective 'ambitious' and structure 'have an ambition to' are far more common.
Yes. When you have multiple specific goals, you can use the plural 'ambitions'. The uncountable form 'ambition' refers to the general quality or drive.