Aim
Definition
Aim is both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to direct one’s efforts or focus toward achieving a particular goal or target. As a noun, it refers to a goal or purpose toward which efforts are directed.
Parts of Speech
- Verb
- Noun
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /eɪm/
- Respelling: AYM
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /eɪm/
- Respelling: AYM
Etymology
The word "aim" originates from the Old French term "esmer," meaning "to estimate" or "intend." It entered English in the 14th century, initially reflecting the concept of directing or focusing effort toward a specific target.
Derivatives
- Aiming (verb, present participle)
- Aimless (adjective)
- Aimlessly (adverb)
- Aimlessness (noun)
- Aimed (verb, past tense)
Synonyms
- Target
- Objective
- Goal
Antonyms
- Disregard
- Neglect
- Ignore
Usage
The word "aim" is used to describe the action of directing effort toward an objective or the objective itself. For example, "She aims to become a doctor," or "His primary aim was to win the competition."
Related Terms
- Purpose: The reason for which something is done or created.
- Intention: A plan or aim that directs one’s actions.
- Ambition: A strong desire to achieve a specific goal.
Detailed Definitions
Verb
- To direct one’s effort or focus toward achieving a goal or target: Indicates the act of targeting an objective or outcome.
- Example: "He aims to improve his skills in painting."
- To point or direct a weapon or object toward a target: Describes the action of aligning or targeting something physically.
- Example: "She aimed the arrow at the bullseye."
Noun
- A goal or purpose toward which effort is directed: Refers to an objective or intention.
- Example: "His main aim was to create a lasting impact."
aim
With concentration etched on his face, the player aims his cue at the white ball.
With his eye on the hoop, the basketball player aims and throws the ball.
Despite the challenges, he aims to reach the summit by sunset.
🇨🇳 Mandarin
- 目标 (Mùbiāo) - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /mu˧˥pjaʊ˥/
- English Respelling: mu-biao
- 瞄准 (Miáozhǔn) - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /mjau˧˥ʈʂʊn˨˩˦/
- English Respelling: miao-zhun
🇮🇳 Hindi
- लक्ष्य (Lakshya) - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ləkʂ.jaː/
- English Respelling: lak-shya
- निशाना लगाना (Nishānā lagānā) - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /niː.ʃaː.naː lə.ɡaː.naː/
- English Respelling: ni-sha-na la-ga-na
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Meta - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmeta/
- English Respelling: me-ta
- Apuntar - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /aˈpuntar/
- English Respelling: a-pun-tar
🇫🇷 French
- Objectif - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɔbʒɛktif/
- English Respelling: ob-jek-tif
- Viser - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /vize/
- English Respelling: vi-zer
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- هدف (Hadaf) - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /hadaf/
- English Respelling: ha-daf
- استهدف (Istahdaf) - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /is.tah.daf/
- English Respelling: is-tah-daf
🇧🇩 Bengali
- লক্ষ্য (Lakṣya) - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /lɔkʃjɔ/
- English Respelling: lok-shyo
- নির্দেশনা (Nirdēśanā) - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /nirdeʃona/
- English Respelling: nir-de-sho-na
🇷🇺 Russian
- Цель (Tsel) - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡sʲelʲ/
- English Respelling: tsel
- Целиться (Tselitsya) - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /t͡sʲɪˈlʲit͡sə/
- English Respelling: tse-lit-sya
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Meta - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈmɛtɐ/
- English Respelling: me-ta
- Apontar - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɐpũˈtaɾ/
- English Respelling: a-pon-tar
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Tujuan - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /tu.dʒu.an/
- English Respelling: tu-juan
- Menyasar - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /məɲəsar/
- English Respelling: me-nya-sar
🇩🇪 German
- Ziel - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /tsiːl/
- English Respelling: tzeel
- Zielen - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtsiːlən/
- English Respelling: tzeel-en
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 目標 (Mokuhyō) - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /mokɯ̟ᵝhjo̞ː/
- English Respelling: mo-ku-hyo
- 狙う (Nerau) - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /neɾaɯ̟ᵝ/
- English Respelling: ne-rau
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Mục tiêu - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /muk˧˩ tiew˨˩/
- English Respelling: muk tieu
- Nhắm vào - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɲaːm˧˩ vaːw˧/
- English Respelling: nham vao
🇰🇷 Korean
- 목표 (Mokpyo) - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /mok̚.pʰjo/
- English Respelling: mok-pyo
- 겨냥하다 (Gye-nyang-hada) - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /k͈jʌn.jaŋ.ha.da/
- English Respelling: gye-nyang-ha-da
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Amaç - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɑːˈmɑːtʃ/
- English Respelling: a-mach
- Hedeflemek - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /he.def.le.mek/
- English Respelling: he-def-le-mek
🇵🇰 Urdu
- مقصد (Maqsad) - Aim (goal)
- IPA Pronunciation: /mʌkˈsʌd/
- English Respelling: mak-sad
- نشانہ بنانا (Nishana Banana) - Aim (to point towards)
- IPA Pronunciation: /niːʃaːnaː bənaːnaː/
- English Respelling: ni-sha-na ba-na-na
