/,ɪnspə'reɪʃn; ,ɪnspə`reʃən/
n
1 [U] ~ (to do sth) stimulation of the mind, feelings, etc to do sth beyond a person's usual ability, esp creative ability in art, literature, music, etc; state or quality of being inspired 灵感
*Wordsworth found (his) inspiration in/drew (his) inspiration from the Lake District scenery. It was a great source of inspiration to him. 华兹华斯从风景优美的英格兰湖区获得灵感. 那地方是他灵感的巨大源泉.
* Her work shows real inspiration. 她的作品表现出她很有灵感.
* I sat down to write my essay, but found I was completely without inspiration, ie could think of nothing to write. 我坐下来写文章, 可是发觉自己毫无灵感（想不出写什么）.
* (saying 谚) Genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration, ie hard work. 天才是10%的灵感加上90%的勤奋.
2 [C] ~ (to/for sb) person or thing that causes this state 鼓舞或激励人的人或事物
*This woman's an inspiration to all of us, ie is so excellent that she inspires us. 这一女子就是鼓舞我们大家的人.
3 [C] (infml 口) (sudden) good idea resulting from such a state （心血来潮的）妙计, 好主意, 灵机
*I've just had an inspiration
*why don't we try turning it the other way! 我突然想到一个好主意, 我们何不试试向相反的方向转一转呢!

n [U and C]
a good idea about what you should do, write, say etc, especially one which you get suddenly
　The Malvern Hills have provided inspiration for many artists and musicians over the decades.
He raised his eyes to the altar as if seeking inspiration .
He draws inspiration from ordinary scenes.
Mary Quant's inspiration comes from the glam style of the 70s.
　He had a sudden flash of inspiration .
He has always been a source of inspiration for me.
a person, experience, place etc that gives you new ideas for something you do
　The seascapes of Cape Cod were her inspiration.
inspiration for/behind
　He was the inspiration for Wordsworth's poem 'The Old Huntsman'.
be an inspiration to sb
to make someone feel encouraged to be as good, successful etc as possible
　People like Tara are an inspiration to us all.
under the inspiration of sb
used to say who made a person or group want to do something
　the spread of improved nursing under the inspiration of Florence Nightingale

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COLLOCATES for sense 1
provide inspiration (for something)
seek/look for inspiration
draw/take inspiration (from somebody/something) (=get inspiration from someone or something)
inspiration comes from somebody/something
have an inspiration
flash of inspiration
source of inspiration (for/to somebody)
divine inspiration (=inspiration from God)
creative/poetic/artistic inspiration

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