aim

1 of 3

verb

ˈām 

aimed; aiming; aims

intransitive verb

1

: to direct a course

specifically : to point a weapon at an object

Aim carefully before shooting.

2

: aspire, intend

She aims to win.

transitive verb

1

a

: point

aim a gun

b

: to direct toward a specified object or goal

a story aimed at children

2

obsolete : guess, conjecture

aim

2 of 3

noun

plural aims

1

a

: the pointing of a weapon at a mark

She took careful aim.

b

: the ability to hit a target

a shooter with good aim

c

: a weapon's accuracy or effectiveness

The gun's aim is off.

2

: a clearly directed intent or purpose

Our aim is to win.

3

obsolete

a

: conjecture, guess

b

: the directing of effort toward a goal

4

obsolete : mark, target

see also take aim at

AIM

3 of 3

abbreviation

American Indian Movement

Synonyms

Verb

• cast
• direct
• set
• focus
• hold
• head

Noun

• goal
• purpose
• plan
• objective
• intention
• intent
• idea
• object

Choose the Right Synonym for aim

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain.

intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

Examples of aim in a Sentence

Verb

He aimed the gun carefully before shooting.

Don't aim that pistol at me!

He aimed carefully before shooting.

Try to aim the antenna in the right direction.

She aimed the telescope at a point in the eastern sky.

She aimed at a point in the eastern sky.

He aimed the stone at the dog but missed.

The throw from the shortstop was poorly aimed.

well-aimed and badly aimed kicks

He aimed his criticism primarily at parents.

Noun

a political movement whose aim is to promote world peace

Our ultimate aim is to create something of lasting value.

The book has two basic aims.

She was unable to achieve her aims.

I started this business with the aim of making a profit.

He fired at the target but his aim was off and he missed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

By placing teachers at the center of innovation, the AFT and its partners aim to ensure that the next generation of students learns not just reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also how to use artificial intelligence wisely and with purpose. —Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Its two-step function—first delivering a light mist to loosen mucus, followed by gentle suction—aims to make nasal clearing more efficient and less disruptive. —Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 8 July 2025

Noun

Work on the Camp Nou began in June 2023, with the aim of modernising the ground while increasing its capacity to 105,000, which would be the largest in European football. —Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 8 July 2025

The aim of this strategy is to curb the technological and military advancements of the country. —Dmitrii Khasanov, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French aesmer & esmer; Anglo-French aesmer, from a- (from Latin ad-) + esmer to estimate, from Latin aestimare

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing aim

• aim high
• take aim
• take aim at

Rhymes for aim

• blame
• brame
• came
• claim
• dame
• fame
• flame
• frame
• game
• haim
• lame
• maim

Kids Definition

aim

1 of 2 verb

ˈām 

1

: to point a weapon

2

: aspire, intend

aims to please

3

: to direct to or toward an object or goal

aim a camera

aim

2 of 2 noun

1

: the directing of a weapon or a missile at a mark

2

: goal sense 2, purpose