Origin: Latin suffix -ous
Ambitious has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
having a strong desire for success or achievement
"The young entrepreneur was ambitious, constantly setting higher goals to expand her business empire."
requiring full use of your abilities or resources
"ambitious schedule"
"performed the most challenging task without a mistake"
Having or showing ambition; wanting a lot of power, honor, respect, superiority, or other distinction.
"The ambitious politician worked tirelessly to secure the highest office in the nation and earn widespread acclaim."
In plain English: Ambitious means having big goals and working hard to achieve them.
"She has an ambitious plan to open her own restaurant within two years."
Usage: Use this adjective to describe someone who strives eagerly for success and high achievement rather than settling for mediocrity. It often carries a positive connotation when applied to career goals but can imply arrogance if the ambition seems excessive or self-centered.
The word comes to us via the Old and Middle French forms of ambition. It originally described someone who was eager for power or office but has come to mean anyone striving hard to achieve success.