aim
aim — noun
1. something you hope to reach or accomplish through your efforts — for example, ge
something you hope to reach or accomplish through your efforts — for example, getting a promotion at work, learning to swim, or finishing a marathon.
Uri's main aim this year is to save enough money for a trip to Japan.
[possessive] aim is to + verb
The charity was set up with the aim of helping children in rural villages read.
with the aim of + -ing
Mr. Lin asked his students to write down their aims for the new semester.
Our team has achieved most of its aims for the first quarter.
The mayor's long-term aim is to plant ten thousand trees across the city.
文法句型
with the aim of + -ing
the aim of [doing something]
用法筆記
Often paired with possessive determiners (my/her/our/the company's) or set phrases like 'with the aim of'. Distinguish from sense 2 (POINTING): this sense is always abstract — a plan or hope, never a physical direction.
常見錯誤
2. the skill of pointing a gun, arrow, or thrown object so that it hits what you wa
the skill of pointing a gun, arrow, or thrown object so that it hits what you want it to hit.
The young archer steadied her bow and took careful aim at the wooden target.
take aim at + [target]
Captain Reed's aim was so good that he could hit a coin from thirty metres away.
[possessive] aim was good/bad
Vesna threw the snowball, but her aim was off and it hit the fence instead.
The hunter held his breath to keep his aim steady before pulling the trigger.
- marksmanship
more formal and technical; specifically about shooting accuracy
- accuracy
broader; works for any precise action, not only weapons
文法句型
take aim (at)
have good/bad aim
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense: say 'good aim', not 'a good aim'. Frequently appears in 'take aim (at)' and 'have good/bad aim'. Distinct from sense 1: this is a physical skill or act, never a hope or plan.
常見錯誤
aim — verb
1. to plan or work hard so that you can reach a particular result.
to plan or work hard so that you can reach a particular result.
Nadia aims to finish her university degree before she turns twenty-five.
aim to + verb (most common pattern)
The bakery aims for fresh bread to be on the shelves by six every morning.
aim for + noun phrase
The new policy aims at reducing food waste in school canteens.
If you aim high, even falling short can take you somewhere good.
Our research team is aiming to publish two papers before the end of the year.
文法句型
aim to + verb
aim at + -ing/noun
aim for + noun
用法筆記
Three patterns to keep apart: 'aim to + verb' (the speaker's plan), 'aim at + -ing' (often institutional or policy goals), 'aim for + noun' (a target or standard). Subject is typically a person, organisation, or policy — not an inanimate physical object.
常見錯誤
2. to steady a weapon, camera, kick, or similar action so that it goes straight tow
to steady a weapon, camera, kick, or similar action so that it goes straight towards the chosen target.
The officer aimed his pistol at the lock and shouted a warning.
aim [weapon] at [target]
Lin Wei aimed his camera at the kingfisher and waited for it to dive.
aim [camera] at [subject] (extended use)
The striker aimed carefully and curled the ball into the top corner.
Hold the bow steady and aim just above the bullseye to allow for the wind.
文法句型
aim [something] at [something/someone]
aim at [something/someone]
用法筆記
Subject is a person; object is a thing being directed (gun, camera, ball, kick). The thing the action is directed towards always follows 'at'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the action is physical and the result is immediate, not a long-term plan.
常見錯誤
3. to design a product, message, or comment so that one specific group of people wi
to design a product, message, or comment so that one specific group of people will pay attention to it or be affected by it.
This new app is aimed at parents who want to limit their children's screen time.
passive: be aimed at + [audience]
The minister's speech was clearly aimed at younger voters worried about housing.
passive form for messages
Disney aimed the film at families with children under ten.
Her sharp comment was aimed at her brother, who had forgotten her birthday again.
文法句型
aim [something] at [group/person]
be aimed at + noun/-ing
用法筆記
Frequently passive ('is/are aimed at'). The object is something designed or said (product, film, ad, remark, speech); the prepositional phrase names the intended audience or target. Distinguish from sense 1: subject here is rarely a person planning their own future — it's almost always a creator targeting an audience.