Word
aimless
Phoneticsaim·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈeɪmɫəs/
UK/ˈeɪmləs/
Definition
adj. without a clear goal or plan. You use it when someone does things but does not know what they really want.
adj. lacking a clear purpose, direction, or goal. Often describes movement, activity, or behaviour that appears unfocused or random.
Examples
“He takes aimless walks around the park each evening.”
“After losing his job, he spends aimless days scrolling on his phone.”
“The novel follows an aimless graduate who drifts through temporary jobs and late-night conversations while searching for a purpose she cannot name.”
Examples
simple
“He takes aimless walks around the park each evening.”
contextual
“After losing his job, he spends aimless days scrolling on his phone.”
complex
“The novel follows an aimless graduate who drifts through temporary jobs and late-night conversations while searching for a purpose she cannot name.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “aimless” in context.
Verb
01. become aimless
“Without a clear goal, his days quickly became aimless.”
verb + adj
02. feel aimless
“Many teenagers feel aimless during the long summer holidays.”
verb + adj
03. seem aimless
“To outsiders, her life seemed aimless, but she was thinking.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. rather aimless
“She spent a rather aimless summer at home after graduation.”
adv + adj
05. somewhat aimless
“His first year at university felt somewhat aimless and lonely.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. aimless existence
“He was tired of his aimless existence and wanted real purpose.”
adj + noun
07. aimless life
“He was afraid of living an aimless life without direction.”
adj + noun
08. aimless walk
“She took a long aimless walk to clear her head.”
adj + noun
09. aimless wandering
“They spent the afternoon in aimless wandering around the old town.”
adj + noun
10. feel aimless after graduation
“Many students feel aimless after graduation without a job plan.”
11. lead an aimless life
“After college, he drifted for years and led an aimless life.”
12. period of aimless wandering
“She went through a brief period of aimless wandering in Europe.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; also used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'.
Etymology
From aim + -less.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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