aim1
/eɪm
/verb
1 [with object] Point or direct (a weapon or camera) at a target: aim the camcorder at some suitable object [no object]: aim for the middle of the target...
- She turned to simply stand motionless, her wrist cannons locked on her target and Jack came around the corner to aim his weapon as well, then stopped suddenly.
- Additionally, aiming is much more interactive, thanks to an over-the-shoulder camera angle which is activated every time you aim your weapon.
- The high-tech helmet had a targeting lens mounted on it, so aiming a weapon of any sort was easier.
Synonyms
point, direct, train, sight, focus, level, line up, position;
turn something on someone
1.1Direct (a missile or blow) at someone or something: she had aimed the bottle at Gary’s head...
- The officer then aimed three blows towards his face and another one to his leg as he handcuffed him and bundled him into a car.
- She raises the malicious wood and straw object above her head, aiming another blow.
- He aimed a brutal blow towards the man's face, hoping to break his nose.
Synonyms
take aim at, fix on, zero in on, draw a bead on
1.2 (aim something at) Direct information, a product, or an action towards (a particular group): the TV campaign is aimed at the 16-24 age group...
- And the bank seems to be aiming its account at those who won't need their money too often, with its interest penalty for any month you make a withdrawal.
- Across the spectrum of gifts and toys, most retailers have retreated to a pink-and-blue world, aiming products at the sexes as if they really did come from different planets.
- Today they have taken another bold step aiming the product at those who like to remain on the forefront of the computer world.
Synonyms
intend for, mean for, address to, destine for;
target at, direct towards, market at, design for, tailor to, orient towards, pitch to/towards
2 [no object] Have the intention of achieving: the programme will aim at deepening understanding [with infinitive]: we aim to give you the best possible service...
- Because actually your intention includes whatever you aim at achieving.
- The same might be said of slow-moving animation that aims at portentous but achieves boring.
- Rather than choosing between an ensemble of key performance criteria, manufacturers should aim at achieving them all.
Synonyms
work towards, be after, set one's sights on, try for, strive for, pursue, seek, aspire to, endeavour to achieve, have in view, have designs on, wish for, want
formal essay
intend, plan, resolve, propose, purpose, design, mean, have in mind/view
noun
1A purpose or intention; a desired outcome: our primary aim is to achieve financial discipline...
- My hopes and desires and aims were to win this tournament.
- That's part of being separate people, with different aims and desires.
- Understand the aims and purposes of the Shari'ah as well as the resulting outcomes.
Synonyms
objective, object, goal, end, target, grail, holy grail, design, desire, desired result, intention, intent, plan, purpose, idea, point, object of the exercise;
ambition, aspiration, wish, dream, hope;
resolve;
French raison d'être
2 [in singular] The directing of a weapon or missile at a target: his aim was perfect...
- They showed us how to load the weapon and aim at the target.
- The Pentagon plans to use them to improve the aim of missiles and provide better navigation for warplanes and ground troops.
- Currently, the aim was targeted at the closed hangar bay door.
Phrases
aim high
take aim
Origin
Middle English: from Old French amer, variant of esmer (from Latin aestimare 'assess, estimate'), reinforced by aemer, aesmer (from late Latin adaestimare, intensified form of aestimare).
Aim has the basic notion of evaluation before a direction is taken. It comes via French from the Latin verb aestimare meaning ‘assess, estimate’.
Rhymes
AIM2
abbreviation
Alternative Investment Market (a subsidiary market of the London Stock Exchange that allows small companies to be traded without the expense of a full market listing).