Ambition vs. Aim — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 26, 2024
Ambition is a strong desire to achieve something, often requiring determination and hard work, while an aim is a specific goal or objective one intends to achieve.
Difference Between Ambition and Aim
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ambition represents a deep, personal drive and a broad desire for success or achievement, which can encompass various aspects of one’s life or career. In contrast, aim refers to a more defined and direct goal or target, which is usually specific and measurable.
Ambition is often seen as a long-term pursuit, reflecting an individual's overarching aspirations that motivate their actions over time. On the other hand, an aim could be a short-term objective or a stepping stone within a larger ambition.
People describe their ambition in terms of where they see themselves in the future, such as achieving a particular status or accomplishment. Conversely, an aim might be related to a specific project or task, like completing a report by the end of the week.
Ambition can fuel continuous effort and drive a person's behavior across different areas of their life, including career, education, and personal development. Meanwhile, an aim typically focuses on a singular outcome or achievement.
Understanding these terms helps in setting personal or professional goals, where ambition sets the direction and aims serve as milestones along the way.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A strong desire to achieve and succeed in life
A specific target or objective
Scope
Broad and far-reaching
Narrow and focused
Duration
Long-term
Can be short-term or long-term
Motivation
Driven by deep personal desire and determination
Focused on achieving a specific goal
Example
Aspiring to be a leader in one's field
Completing a particular project by a deadline
Compare with Definitions
Ambition
The aspiration to achieve a significant accomplishment.
His ambition led him to pursue advanced degrees.
Aim
A specific goal or target.
The project's aim is to improve customer satisfaction.
Ambition
A characteristic of being ambitious.
His ambition is evident in all his projects.
Aim
A precise objective to be achieved.
The team's aim is to reduce costs by 15%.
Ambition
Long-term personal or professional goals.
She had an ambition to write a novel.
Aim
A defined endpoint or outcome.
The aim of this meeting is to finalize the strategy.
Ambition
Desire for career advancement or personal development.
Their ambition made them standout candidates for promotion.
Aim
The intention behind a plan or action.
His aim was to finish the race in under four hours.
Ambition
A strong drive for success or achievement.
Her ambition to become a CEO drove her to work tirelessly.
Aim
The focus of an effort or action.
Her aim in studying late was to ace the test.
Ambition
The object or goal desired
Her ambition is the presidency.
Aim
Point or direct (a weapon or camera) at a target
Aim for the middle of the target
Aim the camcorder at some suitable object
Ambition
An eager or strong desire to achieve something, such as fame or power.
Aim
Have the intention of achieving
We aim to give you the best possible service
The programme will aim at deepening understanding
Ambition
Desire for exertion or activity; energy
Had no ambition to go dancing.
Aim
A purpose or intention; a desired outcome
Our primary aim is to achieve financial discipline
Ambition
Eager or inordinate desire for some object that confers distinction, as preferment, honor, superiority, political power, or fame; desire to distinguish one's self from other people.
My son, John, wants to be a firefighter very much. He has a lot of ambition.
Aim
The directing of a weapon or missile at a target
His aim was perfect
Ambition
(countable) An object of an ardent desire.
My ambition is to own a helicopter.
Aim
To direct (a weapon or camera) toward a point.
Ambition
A desire, as in (sense 1), for another person to achieve these things.
Aim
To direct or propel (an object, such as a ball) toward a point
Aimed the pass at a wide receiver.
Aimed the shot at the lower right corner of the goal.
Ambition
(uncountable) A personal quality similar to motivation, not necessarily tied to a single goal.
Aim
To direct toward or intend for a particular goal or group
The publicity campaign was aimed at improving the eating habits of children.
Ambition
(obsolete) The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.
Aim
To direct a weapon or camera
The sniper aimed carefully.
Ambition
To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet.
Aim
To direct or propel an object toward a point
Aimed for the far goalpost.
Ambition
The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.
[I] used no ambition to commend my deeds.
Aim
To determine a course or direct an effort
Aim for a better education.
Ambition
An eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something.
Cromwell, I charge thee, fling a way ambition:By that sin fell the angels.
The pitiful ambition of possessing five or six thousand more acres.
Aim
To propose to do something; intend
The historical society is aiming to restore the town hall.
Ambition
To seek after ambitiously or eagerly; to covet.
Pausanias, ambitioning the sovereignty of Greece, bargains with Xerxes for his daughter in marriage.
Aim
The act of aiming
Take careful aim.
Ambition
A cherished desire;
His ambition is to own his own business
Aim
The ability to hit a target or intended point
A marksman with extraordinary aim.
Ambition
A strong drive for success
Aim
The degree of accuracy of a weapon or of a person aiming a weapon or propelled object
Your aim was way off on that throw.
Ambition
Have as one's ambition
Aim
A purpose or intention toward which one's efforts are directed
My aim was to try to make him laugh.
Aim
The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, or object, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, such as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.
Take time with the aim of your gun.
To take aim
Aim
The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.
Aim
Intention or goal
My number one aim in life is to make money to make my parents, siblings and kids happy.
Aim
The ability of someone to aim straight; one's faculty for being able to hit a physical target
The police officer has excellent aim, always hitting the bullseye in shooting practice.
Aim
(obsolete) Conjecture; guess.
Aim
(intransitive) To point or direct a missile, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it
He aimed at the target, but the arrow flew straight over it.
Aim
(intransitive) To direct the intention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor;—followed by at, or by an infinitive
To aim at a pass
To aim to do well in life
Aim
(transitive) To direct or point (e.g. a weapon), at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object
To aim an arrow at the deer
She aimed a punch at her ex-boyfriend.
Aim
(transitive) To direct (something verbal) towards a certain person, thing, or group
To aim a satirical comment at Communists in general
Aim
To guess or conjecture.
Aim
To point or direct a missile weapon, or a weapon which propels as missile, towards an object or spot with the intent of hitting it; as, to aim at a fox, or at a target.
Aim
To direct the indention or purpose; to attempt the accomplishment of a purpose; to try to gain; to endeavor; - followed by at, or by an infinitive; as, to aim at distinction; to aim to do well.
Aim'st thou at princes?
Aim
To guess or conjecture.
Aim
To direct or point, as a weapon, at a particular object; to direct, as a missile, an act, or a proceeding, at, to, or against an object; as, to aim a musket or an arrow, the fist or a blow (at something); to aim a satire or a reflection (at some person or vice).
Aim
The pointing of a weapon, as a gun, a dart, or an arrow, in the line of direction with the object intended to be struck; the line of fire; the direction of anything, as a spear, a blow, a discourse, a remark, towards a particular point or object, with a view to strike or affect it.
Each at the head leveled his deadly aim.
Aim
The point intended to be hit, or object intended to be attained or affected.
To be the aim of every dangerous shot.
Aim
Intention; purpose; design; scheme.
How oft ambitious aims are crossed!
Aim
Conjecture; guess.
What you would work me to, I have some aim.
Aim
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
Aim
The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable);
The sole object of her trip was to see her children
Aim
The action of directing something at an object;
He took aim and fired
Aim
The direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies
Aim
Aim or direct at; as of blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment;
Please don't aim at your little brother!
He trained his gun on the burglar
Don't train your camera on the women
Take a swipe at one's opponent
Aim
Propose or intend;
I aim to arrive at noon
Aim
Move into a desired direction of discourse;
What are you driving at?
Aim
Specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public
Aim
Intend (something) to move towards a certain goal;
He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face
Criticism directed at her superior
Direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself
Aim
Direct (a remark) toward an intended goal;
She wanted to aim a pun
Aim
Have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal
Common Curiosities
How does ambition differ from aim in terms of scope?
Ambition is broad and all-encompassing, while aim is narrow and focused.
Is ambition always related to career?
No, ambition can relate to personal development, achievements, or any area of life.
What is ambition?
Ambition is a person’s inner drive to achieve long-term success or accomplishment.
What does aim mean?
Aim refers to a specific, often short-term goal or objective.
Can a person have multiple aims within one ambition?
Yes, multiple aims can be set as milestones towards achieving a larger ambition.
How do ambition and aim influence decision making?
Ambition drives broader life choices and career paths, while aims influence day-to-day actions and specific tasks.
Can aims contribute to fulfilling an ambition?
Yes, achieving specific aims can be steps towards realizing a larger ambition.
Can lack of ambition affect achieving aims?
Yes, without a larger ambition, aims might lack direction and motivation.
What role does ambition play in success?
Ambition often fuels persistence and resilience, key factors in achieving success.
Is it necessary to have high ambitions?
Not necessarily; ambitions should align with one’s values and personal desires.
How should one set their aims and ambitions?
Ambitions should be set as broad, long-term goals, while aims should be specific targets along the way.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
