targeted
/ˈtɑːɡɪtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑrɡətɪd] /ˈtɑːrɡɪtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɑrɡətɪd] /ˈtär-gət How to pronounce target (audio)/ (ame, mw)
targeted — adjective
- targetedpositive
- more targetedcomparative
- most targetedsuperlative
1. designed or intended to affect a particular person, area, or group, rather than
designed or intended to affect a particular person, area, or group, rather than being general or random — for example, an advertising campaign created specifically for people who live in cities.
The government launched a targeted advertising campaign to reach younger voters.
collocation: targeted advertising campaign
Police patrols in the Kreuzberg district became more targeted after a series of car break-ins last month.
Doctors recommend a targeted exercise program for patients with lower back pain.
The charity provides targeted help to families who live below the poverty line.
Critics argue that the tax cuts are too narrowly targeted and miss most households.
文法句型
targeted + noun (a targeted approach)
be + targeted (the program is targeted)
用法筆記
Unlike the verb sense 'to target', this adjective emphasizes that the action or item was planned with a specific recipient in mind, not simply aimed at something.
常見錯誤
targeted — noun
1. an object, board, or area that you try to hit when shooting a gun, firing an arr
an object, board, or area that you try to hit when shooting a gun, firing an arrow, or throwing something — for example, a round board with colored rings used in archery practice.
The archers aimed their arrows at the target from fifty meters away.
preposition: aim at + target
Recruits at the training camp set up silhouette-shaped targets at the far end of the firing range.
Valentina hit the center of the target with her third dart.
The target is a white circle with a red bullseye in the middle.
We used old cardboard boxes as targets for our homemade slingshots.
- mark
less specific; can refer to any visible point or spot
文法句型
hit / miss / aim at + target
用法筆記
The most concrete sense of the noun; easily distinguished from all other senses by the physical act of shooting or throwing at the object.
2. a person or group that a product, service, advertisement, message, or campaign i
a person or group that a product, service, advertisement, message, or campaign is designed to reach or influence.
Weekend joggers are the main target for the running shoe brand's new campaign.
pattern: be the target for + [campaign/product]
Our target audience is families with children under the age of twelve.
collocation: target audience
Small businesses are the main target for this new insurance product.
The Taipei health department set teenagers who smoke regularly as its main target for the anti-smoking campaign.
Online shoppers in rural parts of Vietnam are a growing target for logistics companies expanding their delivery networks.
- audience
narrower: usually people receiving a message, not a product or service
- demographic
more formal; used in marketing research
- market
broader; can refer to a geographic region or industry sector
文法句型
target + noun (target audience)
be the target of something
用法筆記
Frequently appears as a noun modifier: target market, target group, target demographic, target consumer. The focus is on reach and influence, not on physical harm.
常見錯誤
3. a person or group that receives negative attention, unfair treatment, or hurtful
a person or group that receives negative attention, unfair treatment, or hurtful remarks from others.
As the only foreign student in the class, Mei often became the target of rude jokes.
pattern: become the target of [jokes/criticism]
As the finance minister, Mei-Lin was an easy target for journalists during the budget debate.
collocation: easy target
Quiet children are sometimes a target for bullies at school.
After the scandal, the CEO became the target of shareholder anger.
Fatima felt she was a constant target of her supervisor's complaints.
文法句型
be the target of [criticism / jokes / ridicule / anger]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 2 (INTENDED GROUP), this sense always involves a negative action — criticism, ridicule, blame, or hostility. The preposition 'of' is used to specify what is directed at the person.
常見錯誤
4. a specific measurable result that you plan to reach within a given time — for ex
a specific measurable result that you plan to reach within a given time — for example, a sales figure a company is working toward by the end of the year.
The company set a sales target of five million dollars for the coming year.
collocation: set a target of + [number]
Nora is on track to meet her savings target by early December.
collocation: meet a target
The team failed to reach its production target for the third time.
We are working toward a target of zero waste across all our factories.
The government announced a new target for reducing carbon emissions by 2030.
文法句型
set + a target
meet / reach / achieve + a target
target of + amount/number
用法筆記
Common in business and policy contexts. 'Target' in this sense is interchangeable with 'goal' in many contexts, but 'target' suggests a measurable, numerical objective whereas 'goal' can be broader or more abstract.
常見錯誤
targeted — verb
- targetedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- targeteds3rd person singular
- targeteding-ing form
- targetededpast simple
1. to aim a product, service, advertisement, message, or criticism at a particular
to aim a product, service, advertisement, message, or criticism at a particular person or group because you want to reach or affect them.
The advertisement targets young professionals who live alone in city apartments.
active: target + [group]
Critics say the new tax law unfairly targets small family businesses.
The charity's campaign targets people who donate regularly to medical research.
This beginner course is targeted at adults who have never used a computer before.
Oliver targeted his question at the woman sitting in the front row.
- aim at
less specific; can be used for both physical and non-physical actions
- direct towards
slightly more formal; emphasizes the intended path
文法句型
target + [product / advertisement / criticism] + at + [person/group]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('be targeted at') to describe the intended recipient of a product or service. Unlike the verb sense 2 (AIM WEAPON), this sense does not involve physical violence.
常見錯誤
2. to aim a gun, missile, or other weapon at a specific person, building, or area —
to aim a gun, missile, or other weapon at a specific person, building, or area — or to choose someone or something as the object of a violent attack.
The missile was targeted at an ammunition depot located fifty kilometers outside the capital.
passive: was targeted at + [location]
Rebel fighters in the conflict zone have repeatedly targeted UN aid convoys carrying medical supplies.
The sniper targeted the enemy commander from a rooftop two blocks away.
Intelligence reports from the border region suggest the railway bridge was targeted for sabotage.
Yuki warned that the rebel group might target civilian neighborhoods next.
- aim at
emphasizes the act of pointing a weapon rather than selecting a victim
- zero in on
informal; suggests careful, precise aiming
文法句型
target + [weapon / attack] + at + [person / place]
用法筆記
This sense can also describe violence that does not involve a physical weapon — for example, 'The gang targeted rival members for kidnapping.' Distinguish from sense 1 (DIRECT AT GROUP) by the presence of physical force or threat of physical harm.