aim
pronunciation
How to pronounce aim in British English:
UK [eɪm]
How to pronounce aim in American English:
US [eɪm]
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- Noun:
- an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
- the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)
- the action of directing something at an object
- the direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies
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- Verb:
- aim or direct at; as of blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment
- propose or intend
- move into a desired direction of discourse
- specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public
- intend (something) to move towards a certain goal
- direct (a remark) toward an intended goal
- have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal
Word Origin
- aim
- aim: [14] Etymologically, aim is a contraction of estimate (see ESTEEM). The Latin verb aestimāre became considerably shortened as it developed in the various Romance languages (Italian has stimare, for instance, and Provençal esmar). In Old French its descendant was esmer, to which was added the prefix a- (from Latin ad- ‘to’), producing aesmer; and from one or both of these English acquired aim. The notion of estimating or calculating was carried over into the English verb, but died out after about a hundred years. However, the derived sense of calculating, and hence directing, one’s course is of equal antiquity in the language.=> esteem, estimate
- aim (v.)
- early 14c., "to estimate, calculate," also "to intend," from Old French aesmer "value, rate; count, estimate," from Latin aestimare "appraise" (see estimation); current meaning apparently developed from "esteem," to "calculate," to "calculate with a view to action" (c. 1400), then to "direct a missile, a blow, etc." (1570s). Related: Aimed; aiming.
- aim (n.)
- early 14c., "target;" late 14c., "guess;" from aim (v.). Meaning "action of aiming" is from early 15c. (to take aim, originally make aim); that of "thing intended, purpose" is from 1620s.
Example
- 1. There are obvious political reasons : an insurgency 's aim is to win hearts and minds .
- 2. His aim is to help his customers win costume contests , while also stirring some grassroots marketing . "
- 3. None of the investors have threatened to pull their money out , that 's not their aim .
- 4. The aim of his research was ambitious .
- 5. The aim is to avoid prejudicing jurors .