Aims — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Meaning & Definition of Aims

Aims (verb)

to direct a course; specifically, to point a weapon at an object
aspire, intend
point

Aims (noun)

the pointing of a weapon at a mark
the ability to hit a target
a weapon's accuracy or effectiveness

Aims (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal

"the new accounting system is aimed at reducing costs"

similar: bends, casts, directs, heads, holds, levels, pinpoints, sets, trains

related: sights, bears, faces, concentrates, focuses, inclines, orients, steers

near: averts, curves, deflects, detours, diverts, rechannels, shunts, sidetracks
to have in mind as a purpose or goal

"aimed to have his paper all done in time to go to the movies"

similar: allows (chiefly Southern & Midland), aspires, calculates, contemplates, designs, goes (chiefly Southern & Midland), intends, looks, means, meditates, plans, proposes, purports, purposes, figures on

related: dreams, hopes, wishes, considers, debates, mulls (over), ponders, attempts, endeavors, strives, struggles, tries, plots, schemes, accomplishes, achieves, effects, executes, performs

Aims (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

"the main aim of a trip to the city is to shop for school clothes, but we always go to the artisans' market, too"

similar: ambitions, aspirations, bournes, designs, dreams, ends, goals, ideals, ideas, intentions, intents, marks, meanings, objectives, objects, plans, points, pretensions, purposes, targets, things

related: grails, holy grails, plots, projects, schemes, desires, hopes, minds, wishes, nirvanas, destinations, termini

near: means, methods, ways

Related Entry: Aim (verb)

Aim is a different word from Aims. The synonyms below are for aim, not for aims.

to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal

"the new accounting system is aimed at reducing costs"

similar: bend, cast, direct, head, hold, level, pinpoint, set, train

related: sight, bear, face, concentrate, focus, incline, orient, steer

near: avert, curve, deflect, detour, divert, rechannel, shunt, sidetrack
to have in mind as a purpose or goal

"aimed to have his paper all done in time to go to the movies"

similar: allow (chiefly Southern & Midland), aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, go (chiefly Southern & Midland), intend, look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purpose, figure on

related: dream, hope, wish, consider, debate, mull (over), ponder, attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try, plot, scheme, accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform

Related Entry: Aim (noun)

Aim is a different word from Aims. The synonyms below are for aim, not for aims.

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

"the main aim of a trip to the city is to shop for school clothes, but we always go to the artisans' market, too"

similar: ambition, aspiration, bourne, design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, name of the game

related: grail, holy grail, plot, project, scheme, desire, hope, mind, wish, nirvana, destination, terminus

near: means, method, way

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Aims

The most common words with a similar meaning to Aims:

Chiefly Southern & Midland: allows, goes

bends, casts, directs, heads, holds, levels, pinpoints, sets, trains, aspires, calculates, contemplates, designs, intends, looks, means, meditates, plans, proposes, purports, purposes, figures on, ambitions, aspirations, bournes, dreams, ends, goals, ideals, ideas, intentions, intents, marks, meanings, objectives, objects, points, pretensions, targets, things

Related Words for Aims

sights, bears, faces, concentrates, focuses, inclines, orients, steers, hopes, wishes, considers, debates, mulls (over), ponders, attempts, endeavors, strives, struggles, tries, plots, schemes, accomplishes, achieves, effects, executes, performs, grails, holy grails, projects, desires

Near Antonyms of Aims

averts, curves, deflects, detours, diverts, rechannels, shunts, sidetracks, means, methods, ways

Word Forms of Aims

Inflections: aimed, aiming

Origin & Etymology of Aims

Middle English, from Anglo-French aesmer & esmer; Anglo-French aesmer, from a- (from Latin ad-) + esmer to estimate, from Latin aestimare

First known use: 14th centuryi

Frequently Asked Questions about Aims

What does "Aims" mean?

"Aims" means to direct a course; specifically, to point a weapon at an object. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to direct a course; specifically, to point a weapon at an object. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Aims"?

Other words for "Aims" include bends, casts, directs, heads, holds, levels, pinpoints and sets. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Aims" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Aims"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Aims". Common alternatives include bends, casts, directs, heads, holds, levels, pinpoints, sets, trains and allows.

How do you use "Aims" in a sentence?

Examples of "Aims" in a sentence: "the new accounting system is aimed at reducing costs"; "aimed to have his paper all done in time to go to the movies"; "the main aim of a trip to the city is to shop for school clothes, but we always go to the artisans' market, too".

Is "Aims" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Aims" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Aims"?

"Aims" is pronounced /ˈām/.

What is the origin of the word "Aims"?

"Aims" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French aesmer & esmer; Anglo-French aesmer, from a- (from Latin ad-) + esmer to estimate, from Latin aestimare. First known use: 14th centuryi.

What is another word for "Aims" meaning "to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal"?

When "Aims" (verb) means to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal, synonyms include bends, casts, directs, heads, holds and levels.