aim
B1 (Intermediate)Neutral (used across formal, informal, written, and spoken contexts)
Definition
Meaning
to point or direct something (or oneself) towards a target or goal with the intention of hitting or achieving it
a purpose or intention; the direction of effort or ambition; the object toward which something is directed
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it denotes the act of directing effort; as a noun, it can mean the goal itself or the act of targeting. The word bridges concrete action (aiming a weapon) and abstract intention (aims in life).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Very minimal. Both treat it as standard. Minor differences may appear in typical collocations or context preferences (e.g., 'take aim' might be slightly more frequent in military/game contexts in AmE).
Connotations
Similar connotations of purposefulness, direction, and intent in both varieties.
Frequency
Approximately equal frequency in both corpora. Slightly higher in academic/professional texts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
aim [sth] at [sb/sth]aim to [infinitive]aim at [gerund/noun]aim for [noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take aim at”
- “aim for the stars”
- “off aim”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for strategic objectives and goals: 'Our aim is to increase market share by 15%.'
Academic
Describes research objectives or thesis purposes: 'The study's aim was to establish a correlation.'
Everyday
General intentions or plans: 'My aim is to finish the garden by the weekend.'
Technical
Specific targeting in fields like physics, engineering, or gaming: 'The laser must be precisely aimed.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She aimed the torch at the ceiling.
- We aim to conclude the negotiations by Friday.
- The campaign is aimed at young voters.
American English
- He aimed the remote at the TV.
- This program aims to reduce recidivism.
- Criticism was aimed at the new policy.
adjective
British English
- aim-oriented planning
American English
- target-aim software
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Aim the ball at the goal.
- Her aim is to visit London.
- He took aim and threw the stone.
- The company's main aim is customer satisfaction.
- You should aim to arrive by 8 PM.
- She aimed the camera carefully at the bird.
- The reforms are aimed at streamlining the process.
- His criticism was clearly aimed at the management team.
- Without a clear aim, the project lacks direction.
- The initiative aims squarely at the root causes of inequality.
- Her polemic took precise aim at the government's contradictory policies.
- The research aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an archer saying 'AIM' as they align their Arrow Intently at the Mark.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURPOSES ARE TARGETS (e.g., 'hit your targets', 'miss the goal', 'take aim at a problem').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'цель', which is broader. 'Aim' often implies a more specific, targeted intention than 'цель'. 'Aim to do' is not directly equivalent to 'стараться' – it's more intentional.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'aim at doing' when 'aim to do' is more natural (though both exist). Confusing 'aim' (n) with 'goal' where 'aim' is often more immediate. Using 'for' vs. 'at' incorrectly (aim for a place/thing, aim at a target).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'aim' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are grammatically correct, but 'aim to do' is generally more common and natural for expressing intention, especially in American English. 'Aim at doing' is more typical in British English and can imply targeting a process.
'Aim' is often the general purpose or intended direction. 'Goal' is the desired result, often more specific. 'Objective' is typically a specific, measurable step toward a goal, common in formal/business contexts.
Yes. 'Our project has three main aims.' It is commonly used in both singular and plural forms when referring to purposes or intentions.
The most common are 'at', 'for', and 'to'. 'Aim at' a target (literal or metaphorical). 'Aim for' a goal or destination. 'Aim to' + infinitive for intention.