What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
aim
Example
My aim is to finish this project by the end of the week. [aim: noun]
Example
He aimed the gun at the target and fired. [aimed: past tense verb]
Example
The archer took aim at the bullseye. [aim: noun]
target
Example
Our target is to increase sales by 20% this quarter. [target: noun]
Example
The missile was launched to target the enemy base. [target: verb]
Example
Our target audience is young adults aged 18-35. [target: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Target is more commonly used than aim in everyday language, especially in business and marketing contexts. However, aim is still a common word and is often used in personal or individual goals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between aim and target?
Both aim and target can be used in formal and informal contexts, but target is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as business reports and presentations.