1 [C,U] an inspiration (to/for sb);inspiration (to do/for sth) a feeling, person or thing that makes you want to do sth or gives you exciting new ideas 灵感；触发灵感的人或事物: The beauty of the mountains was a great source of inspiration to the writer. 山间的美景是作者灵感的重要泉源。What gave you the inspiration to become a dancer? 是什么激发你去当舞蹈家的？

2 [C] (informal 非正式) a sudden good idea （突如其来的）好主意，灵机: I've had an inspiration -- why don't we go to that new club? 我突然有个想法，我们何不去那个新开业的俱乐部呢？