target
verb/ˈtɑːɡɪt/
/ˈtɑːrɡɪt/
[often passive]Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they target | /ˈtɑːɡɪt/ /ˈtɑːrɡɪt/ |
| he / she / it targets | /ˈtɑːɡɪts/ /ˈtɑːrɡɪts/ |
| past simple targeted | /ˈtɑːɡɪtɪd/ /ˈtɑːrɡɪtɪd/ |
| past participle targeted | /ˈtɑːɡɪtɪd/ /ˈtɑːrɡɪtɪd/ |
| -ing form targeting | /ˈtɑːɡɪtɪŋ/ /ˈtɑːrɡɪtɪŋ/ |
- to aim an attack or a criticism at somebody/something
- target somebody/something He accused the group of deliberately targeting civilians.
- The company has been targeted by animal rights groups for its use of dogs in drugs trials.
- target something at somebody/something The criticism was targeted chiefly at the managing director.
- The missiles were mainly targeted at the United States.
Extra ExamplesTopics War and conflictb2- The authority was accused of unfairly targeting minority groups.
- Police are actively targeting known offenders.
- Children are deliberately targeted.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- deliberately
- intentionally
- particularly
- …
- at
- for
- on
- …
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- to try to have an effect on a particular group of people or particular thing
- target somebody/something Film-makers are increasingly targeting international markets.
- target something at/on somebody The campaign is specifically targeted at children.
- target something for something This hospital has been targeted for additional funding.
Extra Examples- a new magazine that targets single men
- an exercise that directly targets the back muscles
- a carefully targeted marketing campaign
- The products are targeted at young people.
- The booklet is targeted at people approaching retirement.
- Tax cuts should be targeted on the poor.
- We sought to target help on those who most needed it.
- We target our services towards specific groups of people.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- deliberately
- intentionally
- particularly
- …
- at
- for
- on
- …
Word Originlate Middle English (originally referring to a small round shield): diminutive of targe Old English, of Germanic origin. The noun came to denote various round objects. The verb dates from the early 17th cent.
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target