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 or at ):

   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

abbreviation for

1. (in Britain) Alternative Investment Market

aim

²

/ 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

Other Words From

• aimer noun
• aimful adjective
• aimful·ly adverb
• mis·aim verb noun
• un·aimed adjective
• un·aiming adjective
• under·aim noun
• under·aim 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

In addition to the idiom beginning with aim , also see 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 aim of the group is to use atomic resolution SE imaging to reveal the surface structure at the atomic level, including surface reconstruction and other unique structures formed on surfaces.

From Science Daily

She is highly sceptical that a deal with Vladimir Putin is possible - and that ultimately his aim is to subjugate Russia’s southern neighbour.

From BBC

These reforms collectively aim to modernize and broaden the reach of federal food support systems.

From Salon

"Our bodies and minds are adapted to this intimate, small group living, rather than to contemporary urban life. By examining how children in these societies learn, we aim to uncover the mechanisms that have allowed humans to adapt to diverse environments across the globe."

From Science Daily

Future studies will aim to explore these mechanisms further and establish safe exposure thresholds.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• address
• design
• direct
• focus
• intend
• mean
• plan
• propose
• target
• try
• want