What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ambitions
Example
Her ambition is to become a successful entrepreneur. [ambition: noun]
Example
He ambitiously pursued his dreams of becoming a professional athlete. [ambitiously: adverb]
aims
Example
Our aim is to increase sales by 20% this quarter. [aim: noun]
Example
She aimed to finish the project before the deadline. [aimed: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Aim is more commonly used than ambition in everyday language. Aim is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ambition is less common and often associated with personal or professional aspirations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ambitions and aims?
Both ambition and aim can be used in formal and informal contexts, but ambition may be perceived as more formal or elevated due to its connotations of personal or professional success.