inspirational English · revision 39883

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1839, J. Rogers}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˌɪnspəˈɹeɪʃənəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was formed [[af|en|inspiration|-al]] in English.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Influenced by or derived from inspiration, inspired: 1839,^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) in J. Rogers's ''Antipopopriestian''.^(OED 2026) Dictionary.com dates the word to 1830–40.^(Dictionary.com 2016) Etymonline notes that it was used early in spiritualism.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense "of or relating to inspiration" followed in 1888,^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) often of the divine inspiration of Scripture.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024) The now usual sense, "giving inspiration, inspiring", is recorded from 1884 in the OED^(OED 2026) and 1878 in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) earlier, ''inspirative'' (1770) and ''inspiring'' (1640s) had been used for it.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1839 – inspired, under the influence of inspiration.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1878 – tending to inspire (Etymonline).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1884 – tending to inspire (OED).^(OED 2026)

+ * 1888 – of or relating to inspiration.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Giving [[inspiration]]; [[encourage|alt=encouraging]] or [[uplift|alt=uplifting]]: ''Her coach was an inspirational figure to the whole team.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+ # Of or relating to inspiration, especially divine inspiration.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+ # Produced by or under the influence of inspiration; [[inspired]].^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[inspirationally]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[inspire]]

+ * [[inspiration]]

+ * [[inspiring]]

+ * [[aspire]]

+ * [[spirit]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}