Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An ailing organization or society is in difficulty and is becoming weaker. □  The rise in overseas sales is good news for the ailing American economy.

2 ADJ If someone is ailing , they are ill and are not getting better. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

ail|ment /e I lmənt/ (ailments ) N‑COUNT An ailment is an illness, especially one that is not very serious. □  The pharmacist can assist you with the treatment of common ailments.

aim ◆◆◇ /e I m/ (aims , aiming , aimed )

1 VERB If you aim for something or aim to do something, you plan or hope to achieve it. □ [V + for/at ] He is aiming for the 100 metres world record. □ [V to-inf] …an appeal which aims to raise funds for children with special needs.

2 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] The aim of something that you do is the purpose for which you do it or the result that it is intended to achieve. □ [+ of ] The aim of the festival is to increase awareness of Hindu culture and traditions.

3 V-PASSIVE If an action or plan is aimed at achieving something, it is intended or planned to achieve it. □ [be V -ed at n/v-ing] The new measures are aimed at tightening existing sanctions. □ [V -ed] …talks aimed at ending the war.

4 VERB If you aim to do something, you decide or want to do it. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V to-inf] Are you aiming to visit the gardens?

5 VERB [usu passive] If your actions or remarks are aimed at a particular person or group, you intend that the person or group should notice them and be influenced by them. □ [be V -ed + at ] The stark message was aimed at the heads of some of Britain's biggest banks. □ [V -ed] Advertising aimed at children should be curbed.

6 VERB If you aim a weapon or object at something or someone, you point it towards them before firing or throwing it. □ [V n + at ] He was aiming the rifle at Wade. □ [V -ed] …a missile aimed at the arms factory. □ [V + at ] I didn't know I was supposed to aim at the same spot all the time. [Also V ]

7 N‑SING [oft poss N ] Your aim is your skill or action in pointing a weapon or other object at its target. □  He stood with the gun in his right hand and his left hand steadying his aim.

8 VERB If you aim a kick or punch at someone, you try to kick or punch them. □ [V n prep/adv] They aimed kicks at his shins. [Also V n]

9 PHRASE When you take aim , you point a weapon or object at someone or something, before firing or throwing it. □  She had spotted a man with a shotgun taking aim.

10 PHRASE If you take aim at someone or something, you criticize them strongly. [AM ] □  Republican strategists are taking particular aim at Democratic senators.

aim|less /e I mləs/ ADJ A person or activity that is aimless has no clear purpose or plan. □  After several hours of aimless searching they were getting low on fuel. ●  aim|less|ly ADV [ADV after v] □  I wandered around aimlessly.

ain't /e I nt/ People sometimes use ain't instead of 'am not', 'aren't', 'isn't', 'haven't', and 'hasn't'. Some people consider this use to be incorrect. [DIALECT , SPOKEN ] □  Well, it's obvious, ain't it?

air ◆◆◆ /eə ^r / (airs , airing , aired )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Air is the mixture of gases which forms the Earth's atmosphere and which we breathe. □  Draughts help to circulate air. □  Keith opened the window and leaned out into the cold air. □  …water and air pollutants.

2 N‑SING The air is the space around things or above the ground. □  Government troops broke up the protest by firing their guns in the air.