inspirational
gb/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl/ us/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
motivating and uplifting
making you want to do something better or braver
Usage pattern:
inspirational [story/speech/leader/idea]
Common mistake:
Learners often use inspirational to describe how a person feels ("I am inspirational"), but it usually describes something that inspires others ("I feel inspired").
Synonyms
inspiring (Very close in meaning; often slightly more natural for immediate impact.)
|
uplifting (Emphasizes improving mood and hope.)
|
motivating (Emphasizes pushing someone to take action.)
Antonyms
discouraging (Makes someone lose confidence or hope.)
|
demoralizing (Strongly reduces spirit or motivation.)
|
uninspiring (Fails to create interest or motivation.)
Collocations
inspirational speech
|inspirational story
|inspirational quote
|inspirational message
|inspirational leader
|inspirational teacher
|inspirational talk
|inspirational book
|inspirational video
|truly inspirational
Themes
emotions
|education
|media
|work
Examples
- Her talk about rebuilding after failure was genuinely inspirational.
- The coach gave an inspirational speech before the final game.
- It’s an inspirational story of someone who learned to walk again.
Learner examples
- The movie was inspirational.
- He wrote an inspirational message for the team.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
relating to breathing in
about breathing in (inhaling)
Usage pattern:
inspirational [flow/pressure/phase]
Common mistake:
This is a medical/technical use; in everyday English, people usually mean 'motivating'.
Synonyms
inspiratory (More common in medical writing; often preferred to 'inspirational' in this sense.)
Antonyms
expiratory (Relating to breathing out.)
Collocations
inspirational flow
|inspirational pressure
|inspirational phase
|inspirational effort
|inspirational muscle
|inspirational volume
|inspirational capacity
|inspirational hold
Themes
health
|medicine
|science
Examples
- The clinician measured the patient’s inspirational flow during the test.
- Inspirational pressure increased when the airway was partially blocked.
- The report distinguishes inspirational and expiratory phases of breathing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inspirational
IPA
GB/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl/
US/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl/
Syllables & stress
in - spir - a - tion - al (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (spir)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: inspirational
Word family
Core family
Related words
inspired
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
uninspiring
adjective B2
uninspired
adjective
Advanced or less common
inspirationally
adverb
Expressions
inspirational message
1/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl mˈɛsɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
encouraging message
words that encourage someone
Examples
- She sent me an inspirational message before my interview.
- The video ends with an inspirational message about kindness.
inspirational music
1/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl mjˈuzɪk/
fixed phrase
uplifting, motivating music
music that makes you feel hopeful
Examples
- She listens to inspirational music while studying.
- The playlist mixes inspirational music with calm instrumental tracks.
inspirational quote
1/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl kwˈoʊt/
fixed phrase
motivating short saying
a short sentence that encourages people
Examples
- She posts an inspirational quote every Monday morning.
- The calendar is full of inspirational quotes about resilience.
inspirational speaker
1/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl spˈikɚ/
fixed phrase
motivating public speaker
a person who gives motivating talks
Examples
- They hired an inspirational speaker for the graduation ceremony.
- As an inspirational speaker, she focuses on practical ways to build confidence.
inspirational speech
1/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl spˈit͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
motivating public talk
a speech that makes people feel motivated
Examples
- The CEO gave an inspirational speech about the company’s future.
- His inspirational speech helped the team stay focused under pressure.
inspirational story
1/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl stˈɔɹi/
fixed phrase
encouraging life story
a story that gives people hope
Examples
- It’s an inspirational story about a runner who returned after an injury.
- The podcast shares inspirational stories from everyday people.
inspirational video
1/ˌɪnspɚˈeɪʃənəl vˈɪdioʊ/
fixed phrase
motivating short video
a video that motivates people
Examples
- He shared an inspirational video about learning new skills later in life.
- I watch an inspirational video when I feel stuck.