Target is a common English word with several related meanings. It can mean something you aimdirect attention or effort toward a result or object at, a goalan intended result or desired destination you want to reach, a person being pursuedchased or followed with the intention of catching or attacked, or the act of aiming something toward a goal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /TAR-git/
Easy pronunciation: TAR-git (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Pronunciation for the noun meaning a goal or intended result.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Target Meaning
a result or goal you want to reach
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the goal intended to be attained and believed to be achievable
Example: Our main target this quarter is to increase sales by 10%.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- aim — A close everyday synonym when target means a goal.
- objective — A strong formal synonym for a planned goal.
- object — Works in some formal contexts, though it is less common in modern usage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Target
Meaning 2
the spot or area being aimed at
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the location of the target that is to be hit
Example: The arrow landed just outside the target area.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- target area — A direct match for the place being aimed at.
Meaning 3
a person being pursued, attacked, or singled out
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a person who is the aim of an attack, especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation
Example: He became the target of a manhunt.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- prey — Can fit when someone is being hunted or exploited, but it is narrower and more loaded.
- quarry — Works mainly in hunting or pursuit contexts.
- fair game — Can fit when someone is seen as easy to attack or exploit, but it is more idiomatic than exact.
Meaning 4
a point used as a mark for shooting
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a reference point to shoot at
Example: The old tree served as a mark for practice shots.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- mark — A genuine synonym in shooting or aiming contexts.
Meaning 5
to aim or direct something toward a goal
Part of speech: verb
Definition: intend something to move towards a certain goal
Example: The company targets its ads at young adults.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- aim — A strong verb synonym in the sense of directing effort toward something.
- direct — Works when something is guided or focused toward a result.
- point — Can work in physical directing contexts, but is less exact in many abstract uses.
- place — Only fits in limited contexts and is not a broad substitute.
Meaning 6
the object you shoot at in practice or sport
Part of speech: noun
Definition: sports equipment consisting of an object set up for a marksman or archer to aim at
Example: The archer hit the target in the center.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- butt — An established term for an archery target, though it is more specific and less common.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Target Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- aim
- objective
the spot or area being aimed at
- target area
a person being pursued or attacked
- prey
- quarry
- fair game
a point used as a mark for shooting
- mark
to aim or direct something toward a goal
- direct
- point
- aim
the object you shoot at in sport or practice
- butt
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse target as a noun meaning a goal with target as a verb meaning to direct something toward that goal.
- Do not use mark or butt for the goal/aim sense of target; they belong to shooting or archery senses.
- Do not use objective as a verb synonym; it is only a noun here.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main meaning of target?
The most common everyday meaning is a goal or result you want to achieve.
Is target a noun or a verb?
It can be both. As a noun, it often means a goal or something being aimed at. As a verb, it means to direct effort toward something.
What are strong synonyms for target?
For the goal sense, strong synonyms include aim and objective. For other senses, possible synonyms include target area, mark, prey, quarry, and direct, depending on the context.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.