Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

inspiration

 noun
     
in‧spi‧ra‧tion [uncountable and countable]
1 a good idea about what you should do, write, say etc, especially one which you get suddenlyCOLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
provide inspiration (for something) seek/look for inspiration draw/take inspiration (from somebody/something) (=get inspiration from someone or something) inspiration comes from somebody/something have an inspiration flash of inspiration source of inspiration (for/to somebody) divine inspiration (=inspiration from God) creative/poetic/artistic inspiration
The Malvern Hills have provided inspiration for many artists and musicians over the decades.
He raised his eyes to the altar as if seeking inspiration.
He draws inspiration from ordinary scenes.
Mary Quant's inspiration comes from the glam style of the 70s.
He had a sudden flash of inspiration.
He has always been a source of inspiration for me.
2 a person, experience, place etc that gives you new ideas for something you do:
The seascapes of Cape Cod were her inspiration.
inspiration for/behind
He was the inspiration for Wordsworth's poem 'The Old Huntsman'.
3

be an inspiration to somebody

to make someone feel encouraged to be as good, successful etc as possible:
People like Tara are an inspiration to us all.
4

under the inspiration of somebody

used to say who made a person or group want to do something:
the spread of improved nursing under the inspiration of Florence Nightingale
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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