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/eɪm/
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/eɪm/
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/eɪm/
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/eɪm/
Plural
aims
Past Tense
aimed
Past Participle
aimed
Gerund
aiming
3rd Person
aims
Aim is both a noun meaning 'what you hope to achieve' and a verb meaning 'to point something (like a weapon or camera) at a target' or 'to intend or try to do something'. Think of it as directing your energy — like lining up a basketball shot (verb) or dreaming of becoming a doctor (noun).
Her main aim in life is to become a neurosurgeon.
He aimed the flashlight carefully into the dark corner.
The company aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030.
Before firing, the archer took careful aim at the bullseye.
We aim to finish the project before the deadline.
ad- + emere
Comes from the Latin prefix 'ad-' (meaning 'to' or 'toward') and the verb 'emere' (meaning 'to take, buy, or obtain'). Together, 'adimere' evolved into Old French 'aime' (later 'aimer'), meaning 'to take aim' or 'to direct toward a target'. The core semantic fusion is 'to direct one's effort or intention toward something to obtain or achieve it'. Examples include aim, acquire, redeem, assume, premise.