targets
targets — noun
- targetssingular
- targetsesplural
1. flat surfaces with coloured rings that people shoot at during practice, or other
flat surfaces with coloured rings that people shoot at during practice, or other physical objects or places that bullets, arrows, or bombs are aimed at
Ada aimed carefully and hit two of the paper targets near the centre.
hit two of the paper targets — archery context
The sound of targets being hit echoed from the shooting range behind the hospital.
passive: targets being hit
Feng painted fresh white targets on three wooden boards for the weekend competition.
Allison set up cardboard targets along the fence before the archery class arrived.
The soldiers carried heavy targets to the training ground before the exercise began.
常見錯誤
2. the particular people or groups that a product, service, advertisement, or messa
the particular people or groups that a product, service, advertisement, or message is meant to reach
Teenagers and young parents are the app's main targets this summer.
main targets — intended audience
The charity identified rural schools as its first targets for free laptops.
identify [group] as targets
Local cafes and gyms were easy targets for the new discount campaign.
Brian realised office workers were not the brand's only targets anymore.
New dog owners became the shop's main targets after it expanded online.
- audience
broader — anyone who reads, watches, or listens, not necessarily the intended receiver
- demographic
a statistical group of people defined by age, income, location, etc.; more technical and data-driven
- market
focuses on commercial potential and buying behaviour rather than the communication target
用法筆記
This sense often appears in marketing, media, and public campaigns. In compounds such as 'target audience' or 'target market', English usually uses the singular base form 'target' before the following noun.
3. people or groups that others criticize, mock, or treat badly
people or groups that others criticize, mock, or treat badly
After the price increase, the company's executives became targets of public anger.
targets of public anger
Shy new students are often easy targets for cruel jokes online.
easy targets for [something]
Women reporters became targets of abuse after the match ended.
The mayor's closest advisers were targets of criticism all week.
Children with unusual accents should never be targets for teasing at school.
用法筆記
Common plural patterns include 'targets of criticism', 'targets of abuse', and 'easy targets for jokes'. This sense usually refers to people who stand out or have less power.
常見錯誤
4. specific results, numbers, or levels that someone plans to achieve by a certain
specific results, numbers, or levels that someone plans to achieve by a certain time
Renata set two targets for the year: save money and run faster.
set targets for the year
The sales team reached all its monthly targets before the holiday weekend.
reached all its monthly targets
Our main targets are lower energy bills and less food waste.
Dario missed three fitness targets after he hurt his knee.
The city announced new targets for cleaner buses and safer streets.
用法筆記
These targets are usually measurable, such as money, scores, dates, or percentage changes. Common verbs are 'set', 'meet', 'reach', 'miss', and 'exceed'.
常見錯誤
targets — verb
- targetspresent simple I / you / we / they
- targetses3rd person singular
- targetsing-ing form
- targetsedpast simple
1. (third-person singular form of 'target') chooses a particular group, market, or
(third-person singular form of 'target') chooses a particular group, market, or person to receive something such as ads, criticism, or a service
The company targets its online advertisements at students who need part-time work.
targets [product] at [group]
The new environmental policy targets factories that dump waste into coastal waters.
targets [group] with a policy
Samir's beginner cooking class targets people who have never boiled an egg before.
The new educational app targets children between the ages of five and eight.
The campaign targets young voters who have not registered for the election.
文法句型
target + noun phrase + at + noun phrase
be targeted at + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 2 (AIM AT): this sense involves commercial, communicative, or strategic direction (ads, policies, products), never physical weapons. Frequently used in the passive: 'The programme is targeted at teenagers.'
常見錯誤
2. (third-person singular form of 'target') aims a weapon, bomb, or attack at a par
(third-person singular form of 'target') aims a weapon, bomb, or attack at a particular person, place, or object with the intention of hitting it
The hunter targets rabbits that come out near the river at dusk.
targets + [living creature]
The drone targets only old trucks on the empty runway during practice.
Jisoo targets the farthest flag on the course with her paintball gun.
The sniper targets the engine of the armoured vehicle from a cellar window.
Padma targets the centre of the paper targets with her new air rifle.
- aim at
focuses on the act of pointing a weapon; 'target' implies the weapon is already directed at a specific object
文法句型
target + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is strictly physical — you are pointing a weapon at something that can be hit. For abstract or commercial direction, use verb sense 1 (DIRECT AT). Unlike 'aim', 'target' always implies a specific and identifiable object or person, not a general direction.