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 Rams had traveled to Hawaii to end offseason workouts — and to kick off a drive they aim to end with another Super Bowl title.

From Los Angeles Times

My aim would be to not have the audience be like, “Who’s the next Pam and Jim? Is that Pam and Jim?”

From Los Angeles Times

Nato chief Mark Rutte said the aim was to have "clarity" on what the coalition could deliver so they could discuss what the Americans could provide.

From BBC

Swinney also took aim at Sir Keir - who is visiting Scotland this week - over comments he made at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.

From BBC

He criticises my "provocative question" to the Kremlin leader on the war in Ukraine, he defends Russia's political system and takes aim at the Biden administration over the 2016 US presidential election.

From BBC

Related Words

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