target
B1Neutral, used in all registers from informal to highly technical.
Definition
Meaning
An object, person, or goal that one aims at, focuses efforts on, or intends to achieve or affect.
Something that is attacked, criticized, selected, or intended for a specific purpose; also used in computing to denote a file or location for an operation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word spans concrete (a physical object to shoot at) and abstract (a goal) domains. As a verb, it implies deliberate focus or selection, often with strategic intent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Spelling and core meanings are identical. In business contexts, 'on target' is slightly more common in UK English, while 'on track' is a frequent US alternative.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'target' can have negative connotations when referring to a person or group singled out for attack or criticism. In marketing, it is neutral.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties across multiple domains (military, business, sports, computing).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
target something/someone (for something)target something at/on/towards someone/somethingbe targeted at/on someone/somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “be (right) on target”
- “a moving target”
- “be an easy/a sitting target”
- “hit/miss the target”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to financial goals, market segments, or performance objectives (e.g., 'quarterly revenue targets').
Academic
Used in research to denote a subject of study or a desired outcome (e.g., 'the target population for the survey').
Everyday
Common for goals (fitness targets) or things aimed at (the archery target).
Technical
In computing, a destination for a link or operation; in engineering, a specified result or component.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The campaign is targeted at young adults.
- The new policy targets inflation specifically.
- They targeted their savings towards a house deposit.
American English
- The ad targets homeowners in the suburbs.
- Legislation was targeted at reducing fraud.
- We need to target our resources more effectively.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a pure adverb; usually part of phrasal verbs or adjectives like 'targeted')
American English
- (Rare as a pure adverb; usually part of phrasal verbs or adjectives like 'targeted')
adjective
British English
- The target audience was clearly defined.
- We are below our target weight.
- What's the target completion date?
American English
- The target market analysis is complete.
- He reached his target heart rate.
- We missed the target shipment window.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He hit the target with his arrow.
- Our target is to finish by 5 o'clock.
- The company set a sales target for the year.
- The advertisement is targeted at families.
- Critics argue that the new tax unfairly targets small businesses.
- The missile successfully struck its intended target.
- The charity's outreach program is precisely targeted towards the most vulnerable demographics.
- In compiler design, the target code generation phase is critical for optimization.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an archery TARGET: You TAR-get (tar like the black substance) the center to win. The 'get' reminds you it's something you aim to GET.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOALS ARE TARGETS (e.g., 'We're aiming for our target'), CRITICISM/ATTACK IS SHOOTING (e.g., 'He was targeted by the media').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'тарелка' (plate/dish). 'Target' is 'цель' or 'мишень'.
- The verb 'to target' is not 'таргетировать' in everyday English; use 'aim at', 'focus on', or 'select'.
- Do not use 'target' to mean 'product' or 'item'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'target on' (often wrong) vs. 'target for' or 'target at'.
- Using as a countable noun for uncountable concepts: 'We need a target information' (incorrect) vs. 'We need target information' or 'a piece of target information'.
- Overusing the verb in informal contexts where 'aim for' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'target' used as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is neutral. Context defines its connotation. 'Sales target' is positive, while 'target of an investigation' is negative.
They are often interchangeable for abstract aims. 'Target' implies something more specific, measurable, and often set by external or strategic requirements. 'Goal' can be more personal or broader.
Yes, commonly in compound nouns like 'target audience', 'target date', 'target weight'. It functions attributively to specify the intended or aimed-at nature of the noun.
It refers to a goal or situation that keeps changing, making it difficult to achieve or pin down. E.g., 'Regulating social media is a moving target.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Workplace Vocabulary
B1 · 48 words · Professional language for the working environment.