Reading Theme:
Inspiration: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：creative spark (inspiration)
inspiration
/ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃn/
n.
A sudden good idea or creative thought, especially for making something artistic or new.
creative spark
➕
/kriˈeɪtɪv spɑːrk/
n.
A sudden, often brilliant, idea that stimulates creative work or problem-solving.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'inspirare', meaning 'to breathe into'. Passed through Old French.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'IN' + 'SPIRIT'. An idea that comes INTO your SPIRIT.
📖 Example
The artist stared at the blank canvas for hours until a sudden burst of inspiration helped her paint a beautiful landscape.
The artist was stuck for a long time, then a quick flash of a brilliant idea enabled her to create the painting.
🔗 Collocations
burst of inspiration – a sudden, brief occurrence of a good idea
source of inspiration – the origin or cause of creative ideas
find inspiration – to discover a motivating idea or influence
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
block (n.) – a temporary inability to think of ideas
stagnation (n.) – a state of lack of activity, growth, or development
🌱 Derivatives
inspire (v.) – to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something
inspiring (adj.) – having the effect of inspiring someone
inspirational (adj.) – providing or showing creative or spiritual inspiration
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from the Latin 'inspirare' (in- 'into' + spirare 'to breathe'), it referred to divine influence, as if a god was breathing an idea into a person. This evolved to mean the stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or creative activity.
Meaning 2：role model (inspiration)
inspiration
/ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃn/
n.
A person or thing that motivates and encourages you to do or be something good.
role model
➕
/roʊl ˈmɒdl/
n.
A person or thing that motivates others to achieve something or to adopt particular qualities.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My grandmother is my biggest inspiration because she started her own business at the age of 60.
My grandmother motivates me the most due to her entrepreneurial achievement later in life.
🔗 Collocations
be an inspiration to – to serve as a motivating example for someone
draw inspiration from – to get motivation or ideas from someone or something
serve as an inspiration – to function as a source of encouragement
🔄 Synonyms
motivation (n.) – a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way
muse (n.) – a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist
example (n.) – a person or thing regarded in terms of their fitness to be imitated
🚫 Antonyms
discouragement (n.) – a loss of confidence or enthusiasm
deterrent (n.) – a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something
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