aim meaning

UK /eɪm/ US /eɪm/ 1 syllable

aim (verb): point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards.

aim has 11 meanings in this dictionary, as verb and noun.

aim as a verb

  1. point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
    • Please don't aim at your little brother!
    • He trained his gun on the burglar
    • Don't train your camera on the women
    • Take a swipe at one's opponent

    Synonyms: take, train, take aim, direct

    Type of: position

    Kinds: target, draw a bead on, hold, turn, swing, charge, level, sight

  2. propose or intend
    • I aim to arrive at noon

    Synonyms: purpose, purport, propose

    Type of: intend

  3. move into a desired direction of discourse
    • What are you driving at?

    Synonyms: drive, get

    Type of: mean

  4. specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public

    Synonyms: calculate, direct

    Type of: intend

  5. intend (something) to move towards a certain goal
    • He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face
    • criticism directed at her superior
    • direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself

    Synonyms: target, place, direct, point

    Kinds: address, range in

  6. direct (a remark) toward an intended goal
    • She wanted to aim a pun

    Type of: mean

  7. have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

    Synonyms: draw a bead on, aspire, shoot for

    Type of: plan

    Kinds: overshoot

aim as a noun

  1. an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
    • his intent was to provide a new translation
    • good intentions are not enough
    • it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
    • he made no secret of his designs

    Synonyms: purpose, intent, intention, design

    Type of: goal

    Kinds: mind, cross-purpose, final cause, sake, view, will

  2. the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)
    • the sole object of her trip was to see her children

    Synonyms: object, objective, target

    Type of: goal

    Kinds: grail, business, point, thing

  3. the action of directing something at an object
    • he took aim and fired

    Type of: steering

  4. the direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies

    Synonyms: bearing, heading

    Type of: direction

    Kinds: tack

How to pronounce aim

aim is pronounced /eɪm/ in British English and /eɪm/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with aim

Word lists: words starting with AI · words ending in IM · 3-letter words

More about aim on Wikipedia.