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Synonyms

aimless

American  
[eym-lis] / ˈeɪm lɪs /

adjective

  1. without aim; purposeless.

aimless British  
/ ˈeɪmlɪs /

adjective

  1. having no goal, purpose, or direction

"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

Other Word Forms

  • aimlessly adverb
  • aimlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of aimless

First recorded in 1620–30; aim + -less

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.

He grew up in Providence, R.I., and by his own account was aimless until his 21st year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Executive produced by the Duffer Brothers of ‘Stranger Things,’ this series follows an engaged couple on an overlong and aimless journey filled with creepiness and dread.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

And that in turn prevents you from aimless or unthinking financial behavior.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 24, 2025

Scotland started positively, making the most of the territory gifted to them by an aimless kick by Aitchison and an undercooked clearance by Helena Rowland.

From BBC • Sep. 14, 2025

I make aimless turns until I can't see him anymore.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

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.