What does the verb 'aspire' mean?

• A. Long, aim, or seek ambitiously to have or achieve something
• B. To physically rise to a high place
• C. To detach from something
• D. To become a member of a group

Answer: (A)

Aspire means to long for, aim for, or seek ambitiously to have or achieve something. It describes a strong inner drive toward a goal, often involving effort and persistence. For example, someone may aspire to be a doctor or a writer, working hard to reach that goal. The other ideas describe different actions—moving upward physically, detaching, or joining a group—not the act of pursuing an ambitious objective. So this sense of aiming for a goal and wanting to achieve it best captures what aspire means.