What is target? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "target" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by meaning, with examples:

1. As a Noun – Something to Aim At:

• Physical Target: This is the most common understanding. It's something you're aiming at, like with a bow and arrow, a dart, or a shooting gun.

  • Example: “He aimed carefully and fired at the target.”
  • Example: “The dartboard had a small red target in the center.”

• Goal or Objective: This is a key meaning – something you’re trying to achieve.

  • Example: “Our target for this quarter is to increase sales by 10%.”
  • Example: “Her target is to become a doctor.”
  • Example: “The company’s target market is young adults.”

• Person or Group to Attack (often negative): This meaning carries a serious connotation.

  • Example: “The terrorists’ target was the airport.”
  • Example: “The politician’s comments were clearly aimed at a specific target group.” (Often implying a vulnerable or marginalized group)

2. As a Verb – To Aim At / To Focus On:

• To Aim: Similar to the noun meaning.

  • Example: “The sniper targeted the enemy soldier.”
  • Example: "The missile targeted a military installation."

• To Focus On / To Direct Efforts Towards: This means to concentrate your efforts on something.

  • Example: “The police are targeting criminals in the area.” (They’re focusing on catching criminals).
  • Example: “They’re targeting new customers through social media advertising.” (They're directing their advertising efforts.)

3. Figurative Meanings:

• To Criticize or Attack (Indirectly): Sometimes “target” is used metaphorically to describe criticism.

  • Example: “The journalist targeted the CEO with a series of investigative articles.”

• To Select for Treatment (Medicine): In medical contexts, it can refer to a specific area to be treated.

  • Example: “The radiation therapy targeted the cancerous tumor.”

Here’s a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Noun	Physical thing to aim at	“The archery target was worn.”
Noun	Goal or objective	“Our sales target is $1 million.”
Noun	Person/group to attack (serious)	“The city was targeted by the storm.”
Verb	To aim	“The hunter targeted the deer.”
Verb	To focus on	“The company is targeting innovation.”

Tips for Using "Target" Correctly:

• Context is Key: The meaning of “target” is almost always clear from the context of the sentence.
• Be Aware of Tone: The “person/group to attack” meaning can be very negative, so be mindful of how it’s used.
• Synonyms: Consider synonyms like "goal," "objective," “aim,” or "focus" to add variety to your language.

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