|
  • Search Results
  • Advanced Search
  • List Builder
  • Random Word

aim

If you wad up a piece of paper and line up a shot at a wastebasket, you are taking aim. If instead, the paper bounces off your teacher's head, then your aim was way off.

A purpose or goal is an aim. When you were little, your aim might have been to be a famous astronaut, a movie star, or a police officer. As a verb, aim means to intend, try, or aspire. You may aim to take your dog for three walks every day, but your fenced-in yard tends to make both of you lazy.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: aim

1
 vn
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
the action of directing something at an object
2
 vn
propose or intend
the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)
3
 v
direct (a remark) toward an intended goal
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: aim
1

v point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

“Please don't aim at your little brother!”
Synonyms:
direct, take, take aim, train
Types:
show 10 types...
hide 10 types...
direct, place, point, target
intend (something) to move towards a certain goal
draw a bead on
aim with a gun
hold
aim, point, or direct
turn
direct at someone
swing
hit or aim at with a sweeping arm movement
charge, level, point
direct into a position for use
level
aim at
sight
take aim by looking through the sights of a gun (or other device)
address
direct a question at someone
home in, range in, zero in
direct onto a point or target, especially by automatic navigational aids
Type of:
position
cause to be in an appropriate place, state, or relation

v intend (something) to move towards a certain goal

“He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face”
Synonyms:
direct, place, point, target
Types:
address
direct a question at someone
home in, range in, zero in
direct onto a point or target, especially by automatic navigational aids
Type of:
direct, take, take aim, train
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

n the action of directing something at an object

“he took aim and fired”
Type of:
direction, guidance, steering
the act of setting and holding a course

n the direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies

Synonyms:
bearing, heading
Types:
tack
the heading or position of a vessel relative to the trim of its sails
Type of:
direction, way
a line leading to a place or point
2

v propose or intend

“I aim to arrive at noon”
Synonyms:
propose, purport, purpose
Type of:
intend, mean, think
have in mind as a purpose

v have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

Synonyms:
aspire, draw a bead on, shoot for
Types:
overshoot
aim too high
overrun
run beyond or past
Type of:
be after, plan
have the will and intention to carry out some action

v move into a desired direction of discourse

Synonyms:
drive, get
Type of:
intend, mean
mean or intend to express or convey

v specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public

Synonyms:
calculate, direct
Type of:
designate, destine, intend, specify
design or destine

n the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)

Synonyms:
object, objective, target
Types:
show 5 types...
hide 5 types...
grail
the object of any prolonged endeavor
business
an immediate objective
point
the object of an activity
thing
a special objective
occasions
something you have to do
Type of:
end, goal
the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it

n an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

“it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs”
Synonyms:
design, intent, intention, purpose
Types:
show 6 types...
hide 6 types...
idea, mind
your intention; what you intend to do
cross-purpose
a contrary aim
final cause
(philosophy) the end or purpose of a thing or process
sake
the purpose of achieving or obtaining
view
purpose; the phrase `with a view to' means `with the intention of' or `for the purpose of'
will
a fixed and persistent intent or purpose
Type of:
end, goal
the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
3

v direct (a remark) toward an intended goal

“She wanted to aim a pun”
Type of:
intend, mean
mean or intend to express or convey
Launch
WORD FAMILY
USAGE EXAMPLES