aspirant
UK: əˈspaɪərənt | US: əˈspaɪrənt
n. a person who has ambitions to achieve something, especially in a particular field or profession
adj. aspiring or striving toward a goal
The word "aspirant" originates from the Latin verb aspirare, meaning "to breathe upon" or "to desire earnestly." The morpheme aspire retains its core sense of striving or aiming for something, while the suffix -ant (from Latin -ans/-antis) denotes a person who performs the action. Over time, "aspirant" evolved to specifically describe someone actively pursuing a goal, such as a career or position, reflecting the metaphorical "breath of ambition."
She was a young aspirant hoping to become a renowned scientist.
The political aspirant delivered a passionate speech to gain supporters.
Many aspirants compete for limited spots in the prestigious program.
As an aspirant writer, he submitted his work to numerous publishers.
The academy welcomes aspirants from diverse backgrounds.