am ‧ bi ‧ tion W3 /æmˈbɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: ambitio , from ambire ; ⇨ ↑ ambient ]
1 . [countable] a strong desire to achieve something
an ambition to do something
She had always had an ambition to be a pilot.
sb’s ambitions of doing something
An injury ended his ambitions of becoming a professional footballer.
2 . [uncountable] determination to be successful, rich, powerful etc:
He was young and full of ambition.
3 . have no ambition to do something used when saying that you definitely do not want to do something:
I have no ambition to go back there again.
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ verbs
▪ sb’s ambition is to be/do something
My ambition was to be a journalist.
▪ have an ambition
He had an ambition to be a top cello player.
▪ achieve/fulfil/realize your ambition (=do what you wanted to do)
It took her ten years to achieve her ambition.
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He was prepared to go to any lengths to fulfil his ambition.
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I want to thank all those who made it possible for me to realize a lifetime 's ambition.
▪ lack ambition/have no ambition
Many of the students lack ambition.
▪ nurse/harbour/cherish an ambition (=have it for a long time, especially secretly)
He had nursed an ambition to become a writer for many years.
▪ frustrate/thwart sb’s ambitions formal (=prevent someone from achieving them)
The weather threatened to frustrate their ambitions.
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Her lifelong ambitions had been thwarted again and again.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + ambition
▪ sb’s main ambition
What’s your main ambition in life?
▪ sb’s great ambition
He didn’t achieve his greatest ambition – to be Wimbledon Champion.
▪ a lifelong/long-held ambition (=one that you have had all your life)
It’s been her lifelong ambition to work with horses.
▪ a personal ambition
Crossing the Sahara was a personal ambition of mine.
▪ a secret ambition
His secret ambition was to become a pilot.
▪ a burning/driving ambition (=a very strong ambition)
She had a burning ambition to become a racing car driver.
▪ career ambitions
The course is designed to help you achieve your career ambitions.
▪ political/presidential ambitions
His political ambitions were put on hold while he waited for a suitable opportunity.
■ phrases
▪ sb’s dreams and ambitions
He told her all about his dreams and ambitions.
▪ sb’s lack of ambition
I was frustrated by their apparent lack of ambition.
▪ be full of ambition
She was full of ambition when she joined the company.