inspire

Everyday

1. To inspire someone means to give them the wish and the energy to do something good or creative. tree →
2. To inspire a feeling means to make people feel it: «inspire confidence», «inspire fear». tree →
3. If something inspired a story, picture or invention, it gave the idea for it. tree →
4. (science, rare) To inspire means to breathe in. tree →

In the lessons

In school it is used for role models, books and trips: «Her talk inspired us to recycle». In art and writing lessons pupils say what inspired their work. In stories heroes inspire others. Related: inspiration, inspiring, inspired. Phrases: «inspire someone to do something», «inspired by».

Examples

• The astronaut's visit inspired me to study science. tree →
• Her bravery inspires us all. tree →
• The story was inspired by a real shipwreck. tree →
• Good teachers inspire their pupils. tree →
• The music inspired her to dance. tree →
• The captain's calm voice inspired confidence. tree →
• What inspired you to write this poem? tree →

Note

Regular verb: inspired. Noun: inspiration; adjectives: inspiring (gives inspiration), inspired (very clever or creative: «an inspired idea»). Pattern: «inspire someone to do something». Opposite of the breathing sense: expire (breathe out), though «expire» usually means to end.