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View synonyms for aim

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

AIM

2

abbreviation

  1. (in Britain) Alternative Investment Market

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • aimer noun
  • aimful adjective
  • aimfully adverb
  • misaim verb
  • unaimed adjective
  • unaiming adjective
  • underaim verb
  • well-aimed adjective
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of aim1

C14: via Old French aesmer from Latin aestimāre to estimate
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. take aim, to sight a target.

    to take aim and fire.

More idioms and phrases containing aim

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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.
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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.

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.

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

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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