French word

ambitieux

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃bisjø/

Meaning

  • adjectiveambitious

Example

Il a toujours été ambitieux.

He has always been ambitious.

Illustration for ambitieux (ambitious)

More examples

C'est un projet ambitieux.

It's an ambitious project.

Core concept

A person steadily reaching for demanding goals through personal effort.

Common phrases

  • être ambitieux

    be ambitious

  • un projet ambitieux

    an ambitious project

  • très ambitieux

    very ambitious

Similar words

déterminé: Unwilling to abandon a chosen course before it is completed.
motivé: Strongly driven to act in pursuit of a goal.
rêveur: Given to imagining ideals and dreams instead of focusing on reality.
prétentieux: Presenting personal value or achievements as greater than they are.

Definition in French

Qui a un fort désir de réussir et cherche à atteindre des objectifs élevés par ses propres efforts.

Word origin

French ambitieux comes from Latin ambitiosus, from ambitio and ambire, and developed from seeking public advancement to having high aims.

Usage tips

  • Ambitieux can praise determination or suggest excessive self-interest, so the surrounding context determines its tone.

Opposites

Related words

  • ambitionambitionnoun
  • ambitionneraspire to ___verb
  • ambitieusementambitiouslyadverb

Word lists with this word