goal-oriented

especially British, goal-o·ri·en·tat·ed

[gohl-awr-ee-en-tid, ‐-ohr‐]

adjective

1. (of a person) focused on reaching a specific objective or accomplishing a given task; driven by purpose.

   goal-oriented teams of teachers.

2. (of a project or plan) designed to achieve desired results; targeted.

   a goal-oriented budget.

Word History and Origins

Origin of goal-oriented¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Making more doesn’t always mean you manage that money poorly, of course—so long as you can manage the transition and remain clear-eyed and goal-oriented.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Being a father has provided the obsessively goal-oriented McVay something new to “chase,” Whitworth said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Defending Moon’s good-faith engagement with Kim Jong Un as a form of “pragmatic and goal-oriented” diplomacy in an interview with local media, Choi pointed to instances in which Moon offered due criticism of Kim and his regime.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We think of negotiation, conflict resolution as goal-oriented behavior.

Read more on Salon

“She’s future-oriented. She’s goal-oriented as well,” Collins said.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• aggressive 
• determined 
• earnest 
• energetic 
• enthusiastic 
• resourceful