inspire

verb

USin-SPYR/ɪnˈspaɪɹ/Sayin-SPY-uhUK/ɪnˈspaɪə(ɹ)/AUS/ɪnˈspɑeə(ɹ)/

Formsinspires, inspiring, inspired

6 meanings of inspire

Practice

1
verbtransitive
To fill someone with energy, hope, or a wish to do something good.
Like a fire that lights other fires.
The coach's speech inspired the whole team before the big game.
Good teachers inspire kids to keep trying.
Similarmotivate, encourage, stimulate, energize, galvanize
Oppositediscourage, dishearten, demoralize
Note
2
verbtransitive
To put a thought or feeling into someone's mind, as if by a special or higher power.
Like planting a seed in someone's mind.
Her calm voice inspired trust in the worried children.
Stories like this inspire hope in people who are struggling.
Similarinstill, arouse, evoke, awaken, kindle
Note
3
verbtransitive
To put something into a person or thing by breathing, or as if by breathing.
Like blowing air into a balloon to fill it.
The story tells how the creator inspired life into the clay figures.
They believed a divine breath could inspire a soul into the child.
Similarbreathe, infuse, instill
4
verbintransitive
To take air into the lungs by breathing in.
Like a balloon filling up when you let air rush into it.
The doctor asked him to inspire slowly through his nose.
She inspired deeply before slipping under the water.
Similarinhale, breathe
Oppositeexhale, expire
Note
5
verbtransitive
To start a rumor in a quiet, indirect way.
Like dropping a hint and letting others pass it along.
The minister inspired rumors of a shake-up without ever confirming them.
Officials sometimes inspire stories in the press to test public reaction.
Similarplant, prompt, spark, seed

Less common meaning

6
verbarchaictransitive
To breathe into something and give it life, making it alive.
Like blowing air into a flute to make it sing.
In the tale, the Creator inspired the lifeless figure and it began to move.
Deſcend ye nine! deſcend and ſing; / The breathing inſtruments inſpire, / VVake into voice each ſilent ſtring, / And ſvveep the ſounding lyre!
1687, Alexander Pope, “Ode for Musick on St. Cecilia’s Day”Here, inspire means to breathe into, filling the instruments with breath to make sound.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin "inspirare," made from "in" plus "spiro," meaning "to breathe." It came into English through Old French.