inspiration
gb/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 7100
ihlet, inspiráció, inspiráló példa, példakép, hirtelen jó ötlet, ihletforrás, belégzés, isteni sugallat, isteni sugalmazás
NOUN
B1
1
ihlet
B2
inspiráció
B2
Usage pattern:
feel/need/find [inspiration] for [something]
She often finds inspiration for her paintings in nature.
Gyakran a természetből merít ihletet a festményeihez.
The speech gave me the inspiration I needed to start my own business.
A beszéd megadta azt az inspirációt, amelyre szükségem volt ahhoz, hogy elindítsam a saját vállalkozásomat.
Traveling abroad was a huge source of inspiration during his early career.
When I'm tired, I have no inspiration to write at all.
The team looked to their coach for inspiration before the final game.
Learner examples
I get a lot of inspiration from music.
Sok inspirációt merítek a zenéből.
The teacher's story gave the students new inspiration.
A tanár története új inspirációt adott a diákoknak.
He went for a walk to find inspiration for his project.
This book is full of inspiration for young people.
She has no inspiration to draw today.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "inspiration" with "aspiration." "Inspiration" is the feeling or energy that makes you want to create or do something, while "aspiration" is a goal or strong hope for the future. Also, learners may overuse "give me an inspiration"; in natural English people more often say "give me inspiration" (uncountable) in this sense.
Meaning
creative motivation or stimulation
Collocations
find inspiration
|look for inspiration
|seek inspiration
|creative inspiration
|artistic inspiration
|inspiration for [something]
Synonyms
motivation (broader; can be for any action or goal, not only creative or special ideas.)
|
stimulus (more formal; focuses on something that causes the feeling rather than the feeling itself.)
|
encouragement (emotional support; less about new ideas, more about feeling able to act.)
Antonyms
boredom (lack of interest or excitement, the opposite of feeling inspired.)
|
apathy (not caring or feeling no desire to act or create.)
Themes
emotions
|art
|work
|personal_growth
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A special feeling that makes you want to create something or do something new or better.
A strong feeling of motivation or creative energy that makes someone want to do or create something.
NOUN
B1
2
példakép
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]/[something] is an inspiration to [someone]
Her courage during the illness has been an inspiration to everyone around her.
Betegsége alatt tanúsított bátorsága inspiráló példa volt mindenki számára körülötte.
My grandfather was a huge inspiration for my career in science.
Nagyapám meghatározó példaképem volt a tudományos pályámon.
The volunteer workers are an inspiration to the whole community.
His story of failure and recovery is a real inspiration to young entrepreneurs.
You are such an inspiration to me; you never give up.
Learner examples
My mother is an inspiration to me.
Édesanyám példakép számomra.
The successful athlete was an inspiration to many children.
A sikeres sportoló sok gyerek számára inspiráló példa volt.
Her kindness is an inspiration for all of us.
That teacher is an inspiration to his students.
The book was a big inspiration in my life.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "He is my inspiration person" instead of "He is an inspiration to me" or "He is my inspiration." Also, they may confuse "inspiration" with "example"; "inspiration" suggests a strong emotional effect that makes you want to act or change.
Meaning
person or thing that inspires
Collocations
be an inspiration
|great inspiration
|real inspiration
|an inspiration to [someone]
|a source of inspiration
|draw inspiration from [someone]
Synonyms
role model (someone you want to be like, often in behavior or values, not only in achievement.)
|
idol (a person you admire very much, often with a strong emotional or fan-like feeling.)
|
example (more general; someone whose life or actions you can copy, not always emotionally inspiring.)
Antonyms
bad influence (someone whose behavior encourages others to do harmful or unhelpful things.)
|
disappointment (someone who does not meet hopes or expectations and therefore does not inspire.)
Themes
personal_growth
|relationships
|education
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone or something that makes you feel, "I want to do better" or "I can do this."
A person or thing that makes you feel you want to do something, especially to improve your life or achieve something difficult.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
have/experience [an inspiration]
In a flash of inspiration, she realized how to fix the broken code.
Egy hirtelen jó ötlettől vezérelve rájött, hogyan javítsa ki a hibás kódot.
The design came to him as a sudden inspiration during his morning shower.
A formaterve reggeli zuhanyzás közben, hirtelen jó ötletként ugrott be neki.
Her choice of simple language was a real inspiration and made the article easy to read.
That last-minute change of plan turned out to be an inspiration.
He waited for inspiration to strike before rewriting the ending.
Learner examples
I had a sudden inspiration while I was driving.
Vezetés közben hirtelen jó ötletem támadt.
That was a real inspiration; it solved the problem.
Ez egy igazán jó ötlet volt; megoldotta a problémát.
The answer came to me in a moment of inspiration.
Her idea to use photos was pure inspiration.
He sat quietly and hoped for some inspiration.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "an inspiration idea" instead of "an inspired idea" or simply "a great idea." When using this sense as a countable noun, it is usually "an inspiration" or part of fixed phrases like "a flash of inspiration."
Meaning
sudden clever idea or solution
Collocations
a flash of inspiration
|a sudden inspiration
|a moment of inspiration
|a stroke of inspiration
|a burst of inspiration
|pure inspiration
Synonyms
idea (more general; does not have to be sudden or especially good.)
|
insight (a clear understanding of a problem, not always used for ordinary or everyday ideas.)
|
stroke of genius (informal; emphasizes that the idea is extremely clever or original.)
Antonyms
mental block (a state where you cannot think of any ideas or solutions.)
|
blank (informal; used when your mind has no ideas at all ("my mind went blank").)
Themes
thinking
|problem_solving
|creativity
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A quick, very good idea that suddenly comes into your mind.
A sudden, often unusually good idea or solution that seems to come to your mind almost by itself.
NOUN
B2
4
ihletforrás
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is the inspiration for/behind [a work]
The real-life murder case was the inspiration for the novel.
A megtörtént gyilkossági ügy szolgált a regény ihletforrásául.
Her childhood memories served as the inspiration behind the film.
Gyermekkori emlékei szolgáltak a film ihletforrásául.
The architect took inspiration from traditional Japanese houses.
That painting provided the inspiration for our entire campaign.
The city itself was his main inspiration for the series of photographs.
Learner examples
This story was the inspiration for my song.
Ez a történet volt a dalom ihletforrása.
The mountain view was his inspiration for the painting.
A hegyi panoráma volt a festményének ihletforrása.
She used her own life as inspiration for the book.
Old films are the inspiration behind this new show.
He takes inspiration from nature for his designs.
Common mistake:
Learners may say "this movie is based on an inspiration" when native speakers usually say "this movie was the inspiration for" or "this movie is based on X" (where X is the original story or event). They also sometimes confuse "take inspiration from" with "take an inspiration of"; the correct preposition is "from."
Meaning
source or starting point of creation
Collocations
the inspiration for [a book/song/film]
|the inspiration behind [something]
|take inspiration from [something]
|draw inspiration from [something]
|use [something] as inspiration
|design inspiration
Synonyms
influence (something that affects a work or person, but not always the clear starting point.)
|
model (a specific example that a work is shaped after or compared to.)
|
basis (the main idea or structure something is built on; less emotional.)
Antonyms
copy (something made to be the same as another, without its own original source of ideas.)
|
imitation (something that follows another closely instead of having its own inspiration.)
Themes
art
|media
|work
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The thing that gives someone the main idea for their work, like a book, song, or design.
The person, event, experience, or thing that causes someone to create something, or that their work is based on.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
belégzés
B2
inspiráció
C1
Usage pattern:
[inspiration] and expiration
During inspiration, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward.
Belégzéskor a rekeszizom összehúzódik és lefelé mozdul.
The doctor listened to the patient's lungs during both inspiration and expiration.
Az orvos belégzéskor és kilégzéskor is meghallgatta a beteg tüdejét.
Pain on deep inspiration can be a sign of a lung problem.
Restricted inspiration was noted after the chest injury.
The machine supports the patient by controlling inspiration and expiration cycles.
Learner examples
In medical books, inspiration means breathing in.
Orvosi könyvekben az inspiráció belégzést jelent.
Inspiration and expiration are two parts of breathing.
A belégzés és a kilégzés a légzés két része.
The nurse asked him if he felt pain during inspiration.
Deep inspiration can help open the lungs.
Inspiration is another word for inhalation in medicine.
Common mistake:
Learners who know only the creative meaning may be confused by this technical sense in medical texts. In everyday speech, people nearly always say "breathe in" or "inhale," not "do inspiration."
Meaning
act of breathing air in
Collocations
inspiration and expiration
|during inspiration
|deep inspiration
|normal inspiration
|forced inspiration
Synonyms
inhalation (the standard technical term; often more common than "inspiration" in medical English.)
|
breathing in (everyday, non-technical phrase for the same physical action.)
Antonyms
expiration (technical term for breathing air out of the lungs.)
|
exhalation (common technical and general term for breathing out.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|health
|body
Definition
A technical word for taking air into your lungs when you breathe in.
In physiology or medicine, the act of breathing air into the lungs; inhalation.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
6
Usage pattern:
[divine inspiration] to write/say [something]
Many believers see the scriptures as written under divine inspiration.
Sok hívő úgy véli, hogy a szent iratok isteni sugalmazásra íródtak.
The preacher spoke of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in guiding the early church.
A prédikátor arról beszélt, hogy a Szentlélek sugallata vezette a korai egyházat.
The artist described his work as a mixture of skill and spiritual inspiration.
They debated whether the text showed true inspiration or simple human opinion.
Her hymns were said to be the result of sudden spiritual inspiration.
Learner examples
Some people think the Bible was written by inspiration from God.
Egyesek szerint a Biblia Isten sugallatára íródott.
He believes his words came from divine inspiration.
Úgy hiszi, hogy szavai isteni sugallatból fakadtak.
The writer said her poem was a gift of spiritual inspiration.
In many religions, holy books are seen as works of inspiration.
They talked about the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Common mistake:
Learners may treat this like ordinary creative inspiration, but in religious contexts it usually suggests a special, holy source, not just a strong feeling or idea.
Meaning
divine or spiritual influence
Collocations
divine inspiration
|under inspiration
|the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
|claim inspiration
|religious inspiration
Synonyms
revelation (religious; something shown by a god, often with a stronger sense of new truth.)
|
guidance (more general; can be spiritual but also everyday, not limited to religious context.)
Antonyms
heresy (religious; teaching that is against accepted belief, not seen as inspired by God.)
|
blasphemy (speech that shows lack of respect for God, opposite of speech believed to come from God.)
Themes
religion
|philosophy
|literature
Definition
A religious idea: a god or spirit giving someone special thoughts or words to speak or write.
The influence of a god or spiritual power that is believed to guide a person’s words or actions, especially in religious writing or teaching.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inspiration
IPA
GB/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - spir - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (spir)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: inspiration
- Plural: inspiration, inspirations
Word family
Forms
inspirations
noun
Core family
Related words
inspirational
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
uninspiring
adjective B2
uninspired
adjective
Expressions
a burst of inspiration
1/ə bˈɚst əv ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
short intense period of inspiration
A short time when you suddenly have a lot of ideas or strong motivation to create or do something.
Examples
- She cleaned the whole house in a burst of inspiration.
- After a burst of inspiration, he wrote three new songs in one night.
- The project moved forward thanks to a burst of inspiration from the team.
a flash of inspiration
1/ə flˈæʃ əv ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
idiom
very sudden clever idea
A very quick, strong idea that comes into your mind all at once.
Examples
- In a flash of inspiration, she realized how to end the story perfectly.
- The new logo came to him in a flash of inspiration during the flight.
- It was a flash of inspiration that changed the direction of the project.
artistic inspiration
1/ɑɹtˈɪstɪk ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
inspiration related to art
The special feeling or ideas that help someone create art, like music, painting, or writing.
Examples
- The countryside has always been a source of artistic inspiration for her.
- He went to the museum in search of artistic inspiration.
- Traveling abroad gave her fresh artistic inspiration.
be an inspiration to [someone]
1/bˈi ən ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən tə sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
serve as a strong positive example
To make someone feel they can do better or more, because they admire you or your actions.
Examples
- Her strength during a difficult time has been an inspiration to many people.
- You are an inspiration to your students; they really look up to you.
- His story of recovery is an inspiration to everyone who is struggling.
design inspiration
1/dɪzˈaɪn ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
ideas used in design work
Ideas or things that help you decide how something should look or be made.
Examples
- The website offers plenty of design inspiration for small apartments.
- He found design inspiration in mid-century furniture and architecture.
- Social media can be a great place to get design inspiration.
draw inspiration from [something]
1/dɹˈɔ ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən fɹˈʌm sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
take ideas or motivation from
To get ideas or a strong good feeling to create or act by looking at or thinking about something.
Examples
- Many designers draw inspiration from nature and traditional art.
- She draws inspiration from her personal experiences when she writes.
- The film draws inspiration from several classic fairy tales.
find inspiration in [something]
1/fˈaɪnd ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən ˈɪn sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
feel inspired because of something
To feel new ideas or strong motivation when you see, hear, or think about something.
Examples
- She finds inspiration in everyday life and ordinary people.
- Many poets find inspiration in the changing seasons.
- I find a lot of inspiration in my children's curiosity.
in a moment of inspiration
1/ˈɪn ə mˈoʊmənt əv ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
during a brief inspired moment
At the exact time when a good idea suddenly comes to you.
Examples
- He chose the title in a moment of inspiration just before the deadline.
- In a moment of inspiration, she decided to change careers.
- The slogan was created in a moment of inspiration over coffee.
lack of inspiration
1/lˈæk əv ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
not feeling inspired
A feeling that you have no good ideas and do not feel like creating or doing something new.
Examples
- I’m struggling with a lack of inspiration for my next article.
- Her recent work shows a clear lack of inspiration.
- During the winter he often feels a lack of inspiration to paint.
source of inspiration
1/sˈɔɹs əv ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
origin of ideas or motivation
A person or thing that gives you ideas or makes you feel like creating or doing something.
Examples
- Her travels have been a constant source of inspiration for her writing.
- The city’s history is a rich source of inspiration for local artists.
- Music is his main source of inspiration when he paints.