# aimed at sb

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aimed-at-sb
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to direct something, like a product or a comment, toward a specific person or group.

For teachers: to target a specific audience or individual with a message, product, or action; often used in the passive voice to indicate intended recipient or demographic.

## Examples

- This new advert is aimed at teenagers.
- The government's latest health campaign is specifically aimed at people who work in high-stress environments.
- The CEO's remarks during the press conference were clearly aimed at the shareholders who had expressed concerns regarding the recent merger.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The book is aimed to children." but "The book is aimed at children." — the preposition 'at' is required after 'aimed' when identifying the target audience.

## Usage notes

- frequently used in the passive voice (be aimed at) followed by a noun or a gerund.
- Teaching tip: help students distinguish between the literal physical sense (aiming a weapon) and the figurative sense (targeting an audience) by using marketing examples.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.