aim

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noun

/eɪm/

singular	aim
plural	aims

Related dictionary definitions

Metaphor

1
[countable] the thing that you hope to achieve by doing something
aim of:
The aim of this project is to help patients to be more independent.
with the aim of doing something:
We visit schools with the aim of getting young people interested in the theatre.
someone’s aim is to do something:
My main aim on this course is to gain confidence.
achieve/fulfil/pursue your aims:
The group was committed to achieving its aims through peaceful means.
aims and objectives (=things that you intend to achieve):
We need to clarify the aims and objectives of the project.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of aim
2
[singular] your ability to hit something when you throw, kick, or shoot something at it
My aim wasn’t very good and the ball went over the fence.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of aim

phrase

take aim
1. 1
  to point a gun at something before you shoot
  He quickly regained his balance, took aim, and fired.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of aim
2. 2
  to look at something and decide how to throw or kick in order to hit it
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of aim

Metaphor: aim

An aim or purpose that you want to achieve is like a place that you want to get to or a target that you want to hit.

I haven’t yet reached my goal.
They are making every effort to reach an agreement.
We want to achieve our ends by peaceful means.
Many of the students are aiming for jobs in the media.
This company has always aimed high.
At last their goal was within reach
She has set her sights on winning the championship.
They went to great lengths to make us feel at home.
We expect to meet our target of 100,000 members by the end of next year.
Unless you reach for the stars, you’ll never know what you can achieve.
I wanted to take a shot at running my own business.
It’s a long shot but it might work.
We’re shooting for the number one spot in the computer games market.
Would anyone like to have a stab at doing this?

Trying to achieve your aims is like reaching towards a physical object. When you achieve the thing you want, it is as if you are holding it.

Success was finally within their grasp.
We stretched ourselves to buy the house, but it was worth it.
They’ve overstretched themselves financially.
Like many ambitious people, he eventually overreached himself.
Many people grasped at the opportunity to leave.
If you want my advice, you should just go for it.

➡ achieve

This is the British English definition of aim. View American English definition of aim.

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aim