Am*bi"tious (&?;), a. [L. ambitiosus: cf. F. ambitieux. See Ambition.] 1. Possessing, or controlled by, ambition; greatly or inordinately desirous of power, honor, office, superiority, or distinction.

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honorable man.
Shak.

2. Strongly desirous; -- followed by of or the infinitive; as, ambitious to be or to do something.

I was not ambitious of seeing this ceremony.
Evelyn.

Studious of song, and yet ambitious not to sing in vain.
Cowper.

3. Springing from, characterized by, or indicating, ambition; showy; aspiring; as, an ambitious style.

A giant statue . . .
Pushed by a wild and artless race,
From off wide, ambitious base.
Collins.

• Possessing, or controlled by, ambition; greatly or inordinately desirous of power, honor, office, superiority, or distinction.
       
• As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a suspicion as to my real occupation. —Doyle
  
• Strongly desirous;—followed by of or the infinitive; as, ambitious to be or to do something.
  
• Springing from, characterized by, or indicating, ambition; showy; aspiring; as, an ambitious style.