Inspire

Inspire is a verb with several related senses. Most commonly, it means to fill someone with the urge, imagination, or motivation to do something, especially something creative, noble, or beneficial. It can also mean to stimulate a person or group by example or by evoking feelings such as hope, courage, or enthusiasm. A further sense is to cause someone to have a particular idea or outlook. In a literal sense, inspire can also mean to draw air into the lungs, as in physiology.

Etymology: The word comes from the Latin inspirare, meaning to breathe into, from in- “into” and spirare “to breathe.” It entered English in the late Middle Ages via Old French inspirer and Latin roots.

Usage: Inspire is widely used in education, leadership, arts, and science. It is often followed by a direct object or infinitive, as in “inspire confidence,” “inspire students to learn,” or “inspire people to act.” Synonyms include motivate, encourage, stimulate, and spark; antonyms include discourage and dishearten.

Noun form and related terms: The noun form is inspiration, referring to the process or result of being inspired or the source of an idea. In culture, inspiration is used to describe creative influence, a muse, or a powerful example.

See also: inspiration, motivational speaking, leadership.