Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense aims, present participle aiming, past tense, past participle aimed
1. verb
If you aimfor something or aimto do something, you plan or hope to achieve it.
He is aiming for the 100 metres world record. [V + for/at]
Businesses will have to aim at long-term growth. [Vfor/at n/-ing]
...an appeal which aims to raise funds for children with special needs. [VERB to-infinitive]
Synonyms: try for, want, seek, work for More Synonyms of aim
2. countable noun [oft with poss]
The aim of something that you do is the purpose for which you do it or the result that itis intended to achieve.
The aim of the festival is to increase awareness of Hindu culture and traditions. [+ of]
...a research programme that has largely failed to achieve its principal aims.
Synonyms: intention, end, point, plan More Synonyms of aim
3. passive verb
If an action or plan is aimedat achieving something, it is intended or planned to achieve it.
The new measures are aimed at tightening existing sanctions. [beV-ed at n/v-ing]
...talks aimed at ending the war. [VERB-ed]
4. verb
If you aimto do something, you decide or want to do it.
[US, informal]
Are you aiming to visit the gardens? [VERB to-infinitive]
I didn't aim to get caught. [VERB to-infinitive]
Synonyms: mean, attempt, propose, intend More Synonyms of aim
5. verb [usually passive]
If your actions or remarks are aimedat a particular person or group, you intend that the person or group should notice them and be influenced by them.
The stark message was aimed at the heads of some of Britain's biggest banks. [beV-ed + at]
Advertising aimed at children should be curbed. [VERB-ed]
6. verb
If you aim a weapon or object at something or someone, you point it towards them before firing or throwing it.
He was aiming the rifle at Wade. [VERB noun + at]
...a missile aimed at the arms factory. [VERB-ed]
I didn't know I was supposed to aim at the same spot all the time. [VERB + at]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: point, level, train, direct More Synonyms of aim
7. singular noun [oft poss NOUN]
Your aim is your skill or action in pointing a weapon or other object at its target.
He stood with the gun in his right hand and his left hand steadying his aim.
Synonyms: aiming, directing, sight More Synonyms of aim
8. verb
If you aim a kick or punch at someone, you try to kick or punch them.
They aimed kicks at his shins. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
[Also VERB noun]
9.
See take aim
10.
See take aim at
aim in British English
(eɪm)
verb
1.
to point (a weapon, missile, etc) or direct (a blow) at a particular person or object; level
2. (transitive)
to direct (satire, criticism, etc) at a person, object, etc
3. (intr; foll by at or an infinitive)
to propose or intend
we aim to leave early
4. (intr; often foll by at or for)
to direct one's efforts or strive (towards)
to aim at better communications
to aim high
noun
5.
the action of directing something at an object
6.
the direction in which something is pointed; line of sighting (esp in the phrase to take aim)
7.
the object at which something is aimed; target
8.
intention; purpose
Word origin
C14: via Old French aesmer from Latin aestimāre to estimate
AIM in British English
abbreviation for
(in Britain) Alternative Investment Market
aim in American English
(eɪm)
verb intransitive, verb transitive
1.
to point (a weapon) or direct (a blow, remark, etc.) so as to hit
2.
to direct (one's efforts)
we aimed at full victory
3.
to try or intend (to do or be something)
4. Obsolete
to guess or conjecture
noun
5.
the act of aiming
6.
a.
the ability to hit a target
b.
a weapon's accuracy
the aim is accurate up to 100 feet
7.
the object to be attained; intention or purpose
8. Obsolete
a guess or conjecture
SIMILAR WORDS: inˈtention
Idioms:
take aim
Word origin
ME aimen < OFr esmer (< L aestimare: see estimate) & aesmer < ML adaestimare < L ad-, to + aestimare
Examples of 'aim' in a sentence
aim
Now the forgotten man is fit and aiming to make up for lost time.
The Sun (2016)
He stops and takes aim at the hoop.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This programme aims to bring down the cost of borrowing for companies and spur spending and investing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That is my aim right now.
The Sun (2016)
The group aims to have its milk on the shelves by April.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You should be aiming to complete each round in about 30 seconds.
The Sun (2017)
They aim to increase home clients before expanding on the Continent.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If access was the aim, its target would not be tangled in these political brambles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He said:'We have three games coming up and we have to aim for nine points.
The Sun (2016)
They were joined by a flock of celebrities at the dinner, which aims to raise 2million.
The Sun (2016)
This means aiming at the right targets.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
One is enthusiasm and the other is commitment to the aims of the group.
Wallace, Louise M & Bundy, Christine Coping with Angina (1990)
The batsmen helped me aim for shortterm targets.
The Sun (2013)
The aim was to raise extra money.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You could be forcing yourself on to the target rather than taking a natural aiming point.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They were aiming to make it past the group stage for the first time in six attempts.
The Sun (2010)
You know you need help to stay out of trouble and find something worthwhile to aim for.
The Sun (2009)
Use weekends to try longer rides or aim to complete your usual route faster.
The Sun (2011)
Some clubs are aimed at a particular business sector.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
All of these are vital to any plan which aims to reduce cellulite.
MacEoin, Beth Healthy By Nature (1994)
Those seeking to invest in the sector should first establish their principal aim.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It was always a war without clear war aims.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That sounds like a man aiming a kick into the long grass.
The Sun (2014)
The group aims to open a dozen pubs next month as it continues to thrive in the tougher economic conditions.
The Sun (2010)
What target are we aiming for?
Christianity Today (2000)
The aim was to increase our knowledge of the wonderful variety of monuments in our church buildings and to improve their descriptions.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Players and staff from both benches aimed kicks and punches at each other at the final whistle before fans invaded the pitch.
The Sun (2009)
The politicians can often count on industry representatives to take dead aim at their own feet, and pull the trigger.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The aim is to raise the proportion of woodland from 6 per cent to about a third of the whole area.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The effects of systems may be quite different from their intended aims, which then leaves a contorted trail for the historian to uncover.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
Trade deals are largely aimed at protecting or promoting specific sectors, ensuring that they are shielded from international competition or given preference in the face of it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
aim
British English: aim /eɪm/ NOUN
The aim of something that you do is the purpose for which you do it.
The aim of the event is to bring parents and children together.
American English: aim
Arabic: هَدَف
Brazilian Portuguese: objetivo
Chinese: 目的
Croatian: cilj
Czech: cíl účel
Danish: mål sigte
Dutch: doel doelwit
European Spanish: objetivo finalidad
Finnish: tähtäys
French: but
German: Ziel
Greek: στόχος
Italian: obiettivo
Japanese: 目的
Korean: 겨냥하기
Norwegian: mål
Polish: cel
European Portuguese: objetivo
Romanian: scop
Russian: цель
Latin American Spanish: objetivo
Swedish: syfte (n)
Thai: จุดหมาย
Turkish: amaç
Ukrainian: мета
Vietnamese: mục đích
British English: aim /eɪm/ VERB
If you aim for something or aimto do it, you plan or hope to achieve it.
He said he would aim for the 100 metres world record.