Meaning & use
goals
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“goals” is a form of “goal”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Plural of goal: things a person or group is trying to achieve in the future.
Grammar: Plural of the countable noun goal: set goals, reach goals.
Patterns
- set goals
- achieve goals
- goals for something
She wrote down her goals for the new year.
Our team met all of its sales goals this quarter.
Setting clear goals helps you stay motivated.
nounpluralsport
Plural of goal: points scored in sports such as soccer or hockey by sending the ball or puck into the net.
Grammar: Often used with score: the striker scored two goals.
Patterns
- score goals
- win by two goals
The striker scored two goals in the second half.
They won the match by three goals to one.
The keeper saved most shots but let in four goals.
nounpluralsport
Plural of goal: the framed nets or targets at each end of a playing field.
Grammar: Plural of goal as a structure: the goals were repainted.
Patterns
- the goals at the end of the field
The groundskeeper repainted the goals before the season.
Children set up two jackets as goals for their game.
nounpluralslanginformal
In informal internet slang, something or someone so impressive that you want to be like it.
Grammar: Used alone as a comment: 'Those vacations are goals.'
Patterns
- something is goals
- relationship goals
Their friendship is total goals.
That kitchen is goals; I want one just like it.
Word forms
| singular | goal |
|---|
Common combinations
- set goals
- Students set goals at the start of each semester.
- achieve goals
- He achieved all his fitness goals within a year.
- long-term goals
- Her long-term goals include starting a business.
- score goals
- The new striker scores goals in almost every game.
- career goals
- We discussed my career goals in the interview.
Synonyms and how they differ
- aims
- Aims are general intentions and sound slightly less concrete than goals, which can be measured.
- objectives
- Objectives are more formal and usually appear in plans and reports.
- targets
- Targets are specific numbers or deadlines to hit, often set by someone else.
- ambitions
- Ambitions are bigger, more personal dreams, while goals can be small steps.
Word family
- goal noun
- the thing you aim to achieve, or a score in a game
- goalie noun
- informal word for goalkeeper
- goalkeeper noun
- the player who defends the goal
- goalless adjective
- with no goals scored
Commonly confused: goals or gaols? goals or goals?
goals vs gaols
Gaols is a British spelling of jails; it sounds almost the same as goals but means prisons.
goals vs goals
Do not confuse it with 'gals' (girls, informal); goals has an 'o' and rhymes with 'souls'.
Practice
The coach asked each player to write down three ______ for the season.
Choose one answer.
Goals means aims to achieve. 'Gaols' is a rare British spelling for jails, and it makes no sense here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “goals”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.