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Synonyms

goal-oriented

American  
[gohl-awr-ee-en-tid, ‐-ohr‐] / ˈgoʊlˌɔr iˌɛn tɪd, ‐ˌoʊr‐ /
especially British, goal-orientated

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.

Etymology

Origin of goal-oriented

First recorded in 1935–40

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.

McDonald wants his team to focus on the Mindful Athlete: goal-oriented, active people who mix and match athletic and lifestyle apparel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

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

From Salon • May 26, 2024

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

From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024

The NAc has a critical role in the learning and execution of goal-oriented behaviors.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2024

The European spirit is knowledge oriented, while the American perfectionist spirit is goal-oriented.

From The Brain, A Decoded Enigma by Moisa, Dorin Teodor

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.