Inklingo

ambicioso

am-bee-see-OH-so/ambiˈsjoso/

ambicioso means ambitious in Spanish (having a strong desire for success or achievement).

ambitious

Also: greedy, grand
SpainLatin America
A hiker standing on a small hill looking towards a much taller, majestic mountain peak in the distance.

📝 In Action

Mi hermano es un estudiante muy ambicioso.

A1

My brother is a very ambitious student.

Presentaron un plan ambicioso para limpiar el océano.

B1

They presented an ambitious plan to clean the ocean.

A veces es demasiado ambicioso y no piensa en los demás.

B2

Sometimes he is too greedy and doesn't think about others.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • emprendedor (enterprising/go-getter)
  • codicioso (greedy)

Antonyms

  • conformista (unambitious/satisfied with the status quo)
  • vago (lazy)

Common Collocations

  • proyecto ambiciosoambitious project
  • plan ambiciosoambitious plan
  • meta ambiciosaambitious goal

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ambicioso" in Spanish:

ambitiousgrandgreedy

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ambicioso

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly describes a woman who wants to succeed?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
ambición(ambition)Noun
ambicionar(to aspire to/to long for)Verb
ambiciosamente(ambitiously)Adverb
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'ambitiosus,' which describes someone who 'goes around' (ambire) to get votes or favor.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: ambitieuxItalian: ambizioso

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'ambicioso' for a company?

Yes! You can use it to describe an 'empresa ambiciosa' (an ambitious company) that has big plans for the future.

Is 'ambicioso' a compliment?

Usually, yes. It shows someone has drive. However, if used to describe someone who steps on others to get ahead, it becomes negative.

How do I say 'ambitious' in the plural?

Just add an 's'! Use 'ambiciosos' for a group of men or a mixed group, and 'ambiciosas' for a group of women.