aim

¹

[eym]

verb (used with object)

1. to position or direct (a firearm, ball, arrow, rocket, etc.) so that, on firing or release, the discharged projectile will hit a target or travel along a certain path.

   Synonyms: point

2. to intend or direct for a particular effect or purpose.

   to aim a satire at snobbery.

verb (used without object)

1. to point or direct a gun, punch, etc., toward.

   He aimed at the target but missed it.

2. to strive; try (usually followed by to orat ).

   We aim to please.

   They aim at saving something every month.

3. to intend.

   She aims to go tomorrow.

4. to direct efforts, as toward an object.

   The satire aimed at modern greed.

5. Obsolete.,  to estimate; guess.

noun

1. the act of aiming or directing anything at or toward a particular point or target.

2. the direction in which a weapon or missile is pointed; the line of sighting.

   within the cannon's aim.

3. the point intended to be hit; thing or person aimed at.

   to miss one's aim.

   Synonyms: objective, target

4. something intended or desired to be attained by one's efforts; purpose.

   whatever his aim in life may be.

   Synonyms: design, intent, goal

5. Obsolete.,  conjecture; guess.

AIM

²

[eym]

noun

1. American Indian Movement.

aim

¹

/ eɪm /

verb

1. to point (a weapon, missile, etc) or direct (a blow) at a particular person or object; level

2. (tr) 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

1. the action of directing something at an object

2. the direction in which something is pointed; line of sighting (esp in the phrase to take aim )

3. the object at which something is aimed; target

4. intention; purpose

AIM

²

abbreviation

1. (in Britain) Alternative Investment Market

Other Word Forms

• aimer noun
• aimful adjective
• aimfully adverb
• misaim verb
• unaimed adjective
• unaiming adjective
• underaim verb
• well-aimed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aim¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; late Middle English aimen, from Anglo-French a(e)smer, eimer, from Old French aesmer, from Vulgar Latin adaestimāre (unrecorded), equivalent to Latin ad- ad- ( def. ) + aestimāre ( estimate ( def. ) ); replacing Middle English amen, from Old French (dialectal) amer, from Latin aestimāre

Word History and Origins

Origin of aim¹

C14: via Old French aesmer from Latin aestimāre to _estimate

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take aim, to sight a target.

   to take aim and fire.

More idioms and phrases containing aim

• take aim

Synonym Study

Aim, end, object all imply something that is the goal of one's efforts. Aim implies that toward which one makes a direct line, refusing to be diverted from it: a nobleness of aim; one's aim in life. End emphasizes the goal as a cause of efforts: the end for which one strives. Object emphasizes the goal as that toward which all efforts are directed: the object of years of study.

Example Sentences

The move was aimed at capitalizing on the growth of cosmetics and perfumes by making the products in house, instead of licensing its brands to third parties for beauty products.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To Sacks’s point, bills aimed at AI have been introduced this year in all 50 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That plan, which covers the period from next year until 2030, will play a central role in the pursuit of President Xi Jinping's core aims, including technological self-sufficiency and military and economic might.

Read more on Barron's

Her aim now is to taper off methadone and become medication- and drug-free.

Read more on BBC

The Boring Company is yet another venture by Musk, the world's richest person and boss of Tesla and SpaceX, which aims to revolutionize urban transport through the construction of tunnels.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• ambition 
• aspiration 
• desire 
• direction 
• intent 
• intention 
• objective 
• plan 
• purpose 
• target 
• wish