The word "unambitious" is spelled with the prefix "un-" added to the word "ambitious", meaning lacking in ambition. The phonetic transcription of this word is /ˌʌn.æmˈbɪʃ.əs/. The stress falls on the second syllable, with a short "u" sound in the first syllable, an "a" sound in the second syllable, and a schwa sound in the last syllable. The "b" and "m" sounds are distinct in pronunciation, creating a clear distinction between the two words "ambitious" and "unambitious".
Unambitious refers to a lack of ambition or drive to achieve higher goals or excel in endeavors. It describes a person or a particular attitude that lacks a strong desire for success, advancement, or achievement.
Someone who is unambitious often settles for mediocrity, displaying minimal interest in pursuing challenging tasks, personal growth, or fulfilling their potential. They may be content with maintaining a comfortable or stable status quo without seeking to improve or exceed expectations. Rather than aiming for greatness, unambitious individuals may favor a more laid-back or easygoing approach to life, possibly prioritizing comfort or leisure over progress or accomplishment.
An unambitious mindset can manifest in various aspects of life, including education, career, personal relationships, and hobbies. It can result in limited professional success, missed opportunities for growth, and a lack of motivation to strive for excellence. While it is natural for individuals to have varying levels of ambition, being consistently unambitious may hinder personal and professional development, prevent individuals from reaching their full potential, and limit their possibilities for success.
In summary, unambitious denotes a disposition lacking the ambition, drive, or determination to work toward and achieve higher goals, often resulting in a preference for maintaining the status quo and a lack of motivation to excel or grow.
Free from ambition; not aspiring.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "unambitious" is formed by adding the prefix "un-" to the word "ambitious".
The prefix "un-" is derived from Old English "un-" or "on-", which denotes negation or reversal. It is commonly used to form words with a negative or opposite meaning to the base word. In the case of "unambitious", the prefix "un-" negates the original meaning of "ambitious", resulting in a word that signifies the absence of ambition or the lack of desire to achieve great things.
The word "ambitious" traces its origins to the Latin word "ambitiosus", which means "desirous of honor". In Latin, "ambitus" refers to "going around" or "going about", and it was eventually associated with political campaigns or individuals seeking public office.