ambicioso
“ambicioso” means “ambitious” in Spanish (having a strong desire for success or achievement).
ambitious
Also: greedy, grand
📝 In Action
Mi hermano es un estudiante muy ambicioso.
A1My brother is a very ambitious student.
Presentaron un plan ambicioso para limpiar el océano.
B1They presented an ambitious plan to clean the ocean.
A veces es demasiado ambicioso y no piensa en los demás.
B2Sometimes he is too greedy and doesn't think about others.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ambicioso
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly describes a woman who wants to succeed?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 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)
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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.