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Targets: meaning, definitions and examples

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targets

 

[ ˈtɑːrɡɪts ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

in sports

Targets are objects or areas that players aim at in order to score points or achieve a goal.

Synonyms

aims, goals, objectives.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
targets

Commonly used in business and professional settings to refer to specific results or milestones that are intended to be achieved within a certain timeframe.

  • The sales team exceeded their quarterly targets.
  • We have set new targets for the upcoming fiscal year.
goals

Universally applicable in both personal and professional scenarios to describe long-term achievements or end results that someone is committed to reaching.

  • Her goal is to run a marathon next year.
  • One of the company's goals is to be carbon neutral by 2030.
objectives

Typically used in formal and professional settings to denote specific, measurable steps that are planned in order to achieve broader goals. It often relates to project management and business planning.

  • One of our key objectives this year is to improve customer satisfaction.
  • The project objectives were clearly defined in the proposal.
aims

Used in both professional and personal contexts to refer to broader, more general intentions or aspirations. It is less specific than 'targets' or 'objectives'.

  • Our main aim is to provide affordable education to everyone.
  • She aims to become a professional musician one day.

Examples of usage

  • Archery targets are usually round in shape.
  • The soccer player kicked the ball towards the target.
  • The shooter hit the bullseye on the target.
  • The darts player aimed for the center of the target.
  • The basketball player scored by hitting the target.
Context #2 | Verb

in marketing

Targets refer to specific groups of people or individuals that a company aims to reach with its products or services.

Synonyms

aim at, direct towards, focus on.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
targets

Use this when identifying specific goals or objectives, often in a business or strategic setting.

  • The company has set ambitious sales targets for the next quarter
  • Our environmental targets aim to reduce carbon emissions by 50%
focus on

Ideal for situations that require concentrated effort or attention on particular areas or subjects.

  • This semester, the course will focus on advanced programming techniques
  • She needs to focus on her strengths to succeed
aim at

Best used when describing the act of directing effort or purpose towards achieving something. This is often more casual and can be used in everyday conversation.

  • She aims at becoming the best student in her class
  • The new policy aims at improving the quality of healthcare
direct towards

Appropriate for formal contexts or when explicitly talking about where resources, efforts, or actions are being allocated.

  • The funding was directed towards scientific research
  • His criticism was directed towards the management team's handling of the issue

Examples of usage

  • The company targeted young adults with their new advertising campaign.
  • The marketing team targeted the local community for their promotion.
  • The campaign was successful in targeting the desired demographic.
  • The company has successfully targeted a new market segment.
  • The marketing strategy effectively targeted the intended audience.

Translations

Translations of the word "targets" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alvos

🇮🇳 लक्ष्य

🇩🇪 Ziele

🇮🇩 target

🇺🇦 цілі

🇵🇱 cele

🇯🇵 ターゲット

🇫🇷 cibles

🇪🇸 objetivos

🇹🇷 hedefler

🇰🇷 목표

🇸🇦 أهداف

🇨🇿 cíle

🇸🇰 ciele

🇨🇳 目标

🇸🇮 cilji

🇮🇸 markmið

🇰🇿 мақсаттар

🇬🇪 სამიზნეები

🇦🇿 hədəflər

🇲🇽 objetivos

Etymology

The word 'targets' originated from the Old French word 'targette', meaning 'small shield'. It was first used in the 14th century to refer to a shield or object to be aimed at in archery. Over time, the term evolved to include various objects or goals to be aimed at in different contexts, such as sports, marketing, and goal-setting.

See also: target, targeted, targeter, targeting.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,557, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.