I. ˈām verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French aesmer & esmer; Anglo-French aesmer, from a- (from Latin ad- ) + esmer to estimate, from Latin aestimare
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to direct a course ; specifically : to point a weapon at an object
2. : aspire , intend
aim s to reform the government
transitive verb
1. obsolete : guess , conjecture
2.
a. : point
aim a gun
b. : to direct to or toward a specified object or goal
a program aim ed at reducing pollution
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. obsolete : mark , target
2.
a. : the pointing of a weapon at a mark
take careful aim
b. : the ability to hit a target
a shooter with good aim
c. : a weapon's accuracy or effectiveness
the gun's aim is off
3. obsolete
a. : conjecture , guess
b. : the directing of effort toward a goal
4. : a clearly directed intent or purpose
our aim is to win
Synonyms: see intention
• aim·less -ləs adjective
• aim·less·ly adverb
• aim·less·ness noun