- [uncountable]
the process that takes place when somebody sees or hears something that causes them to have exciting new ideas or makes them want to create something, especially in art, music or literature 灵感 Dreams can be a rich source of inspiration for an artist. 梦境有可能是艺术家灵感的丰富源泉。 Both poets drew their inspiration from the countryside. 两位诗人都从乡村得到他们的灵感。 Her work lacks inspiration (= it does not contain any exciting new ideas). 她的作品缺乏灵感。 - inspiration for something
Looking for inspiration for a new dessert? Try this recipe. 正在寻找制作新式甜食的灵感吗？试试这份食谱吧。 - inspiration to do something
She had the time and the inspiration to develop her talent. 她有时间和灵感发展自己的才华。
Extra ExamplesTopics Literature and writingc1, Artc1Her inspiration comes from Asia. 她的灵感来自亚洲。 Her latest book owes its inspiration to childhood memories. 她新书的灵感来源于童年的记忆。 I had to wait until inspiration struck. 我不得不等待灵感闪现。 Many of us found inspiration in her teaching. 我们当中很多人都从她的教学中获得启发。 The movement draws much of its inspiration from the Greek philosophers. 这一运动从古希腊哲学家那里吸取了大量的灵感。 Where did you get the inspiration for the book? 你这本书的灵感来自哪里？
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- true
- direct
- …
- flash
- moment
- derive
- draw
- find
- …
- come (from something)
- hit
- strike
- …
- inspiration behind
- inspiration for
- inspiration to
- …
- a source of inspiration
- [countable, usually singular]
a person or thing that is the reason why somebody creates or does something 启发灵感的人（或事物）；使人产生动机的人（或事物） - inspiration (for something)
He says my sister was the inspiration for his heroine. 他说我姐姐是他的女主人公的原型。 - inspiration behind something
Clark was the inspiration behind Saturday's victory. 克拉克是星期六的胜利的灵魂。
Extra ExamplesThe sea has provided an inspiration for many of his paintings. 大海为他的很多作品提供了灵感。 His wife was the direct inspiration for the main character in the book. 正是他的妻子使他产生了灵感，塑造出了这本书的主人公。 The garden is an inspiration for all gardeners with limited resources. 这个花园是所有资源有限的园丁的灵感来源。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- true
- direct
- …
- flash
- moment
- derive
- draw
- find
- …
- come (from something)
- hit
- strike
- …
- inspiration behind
- inspiration for
- inspiration to
- …
- a source of inspiration
- inspiration (for something)
- [countable, usually singular]
a person or thing that makes you want to be better, more successful, etc. 鼓舞人心的人（或事物） - inspiration to somebody
Her charity work is an inspiration to us all. 她的慈善工作激励着我们所有人。 - inspiration for somebody
She became an inspiration and a role model for a new generation of women. 她成为新一代女性的灵感来源和榜样。
Extra ExamplesTopics Successc1Julia's courage must be a great inspiration to those people facing a similar ordeal. 朱莉娅的勇气一定对那些面临类似磨难的人有很大的启发。 She's been a great inspiration to me. 她一直是给我极大鼓舞的人。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- true
- direct
- …
- flash
- moment
- derive
- draw
- find
- …
- come (from something)
- hit
- strike
- …
- inspiration behind
- inspiration for
- inspiration to
- …
- a source of inspiration
- inspiration to somebody
- [countable, usually singular, uncountable]
a sudden good idea （突然想到的）好主意，妙计 He had an inspiration: he'd give her a dog for her birthday. 他突然想到一个好主意，他要送她一条狗作为生日礼物。 It came to me in a flash of inspiration. 那是我灵机一动想到的。
Extra ExamplesThen I had a moment of true inspiration. 那一刻我受到了真正的鼓舞。 One day the inspiration just came. 总有一天会来灵感的。 In a flash of inspiration, I decided to paint the whole house white. 我灵机一动，决定把整个房子刷成白色。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- true
- direct
- …
- flash
- moment
- derive
- draw
- find
- …
- come (from something)
- hit
- strike
- …
- inspiration behind
- inspiration for
- inspiration to
- …
- a source of inspiration
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘divine guidance’): via Old French from late Latin inspiratio(n-), from the verb inspirare ‘breathe or blow into’ from in- ‘into’ + spirare ‘breathe’.