Cool MateAmbition vs Desire
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ambition
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Desire
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Most common: Desire
| Ambition | Desire | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/æmˈbɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/æmˈbɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈzaɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈzaɪər/"]/ |
| Meaning | A strong desire to achieve something. | A strong wish for something. |
| Example | His ambition to become a doctor drove him to study hard every night. | Her desire to travel the world consumed her thoughts daily. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | big, burning, driving, cherish, harbour/harbor, have, driving, great, naked, have, lack, burn | burning, deep, fervent, feel, harbour/harbor, have, desire for, an object of desire, burning, deep, fervent, feel, harbour/harbor, have, desire for, an object of desire |
| Antonyms | apathy, indifference, laziness | dislike, aversion, indifference |
| Common mistakes | Using 'ambitions' when referring to a singular goal., Confusing 'ambition' with 'aspiration' which implies a more general desire. | Confused with 'want' — 'desire' is stronger., Using 'desire' without an object — it needs something to be desired., Misplacing the stress in pronunciation. |
| Usage notes | Use 'ambition' in both personal and professional contexts. It can sound positive when referring to goals but could seem negative if associated with selfishness or over-competitiveness. | Used in both spoken and written English. It's appropriate in neutral contexts but might feel too strong or formal in casual conversations. Phrases like 'a desire to travel' are common. |
Frequently asked questions: Ambition vs Desire
What's the difference between Ambition and Desire?
Ambition: A strong desire to achieve something. Desire: A strong wish for something.
Which is more common: Ambition and Desire?
Desire is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Ambition and Desire?
Desire is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Ambition and Desire the same CEFR level?
Ambition: B1, Desire: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Ambition and Desire?
Ambition: noun, Desire: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Ambition: His ambition to become a doctor drove him to study hard every night. Desire: Her desire to travel the world consumed her thoughts daily.
Can I use Ambition and Desire interchangeably?
Not always. Ambition and Desire are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.