Inspire Meaning

/ɪnˈspaɪə(ɹ)/
B1

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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verbTo infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in, as by inspiration.

verbTo infuse into; to affect, as with a superior or supernatural influence; to fill with what animates, enlivens or exalts; to communicate inspiration to.

Asian religions inspire him to create splendid sculptures.
We may give advice, but we do not inspire conduct.
The president's actions hardly inspire confidence.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her brave speech will ____ many students to follow their dreams and work hard.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A good teacher should ____ their students to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Italic *en Proto-Italic *en- Latin in- Proto-Indo-European *(s)peys-der.? Latin spīrō Latin īnspīrōbor. Old French espirer Old French enspirerbor. Middle English enspiren English inspire From Middle English inspiren, enspiren, from Old French inspirer, variant of espirer, from Latin īnspīrāre (“inspire”), itself a loan-translation of Biblical Ancient Greek πνέω (pnéō, “breathe”), from in + spīrō (“breathe”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peys- (“to blow, breathe”). Displaced native Old English onbryrdan (literally “to prick in”).

"Dawning day new comfort hath inspired." — c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
"He knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul." — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Wisdom 15:11:
"[…] and whose example of reverence and devotion was so well calculated to inspire confidence and attachment in every class of the community?" — 1810, Cobbett's Political Register - Volume 17, page 379:
"Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals." — 2012 March-April, Anna Lena Phillips, “Sneaky Silk Moths”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 19 Feb 2013, page 172:
"Erato, thy poet's mind inspire, / And fill his soul with thy celestial fire." — 1697, Virgil, “The Seventh Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
Her brave speech will ____ many students to follow their dreams and work hard.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A good teacher should ____ their students to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

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