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Meaning & use

primary goal

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌpraɪməri ˈɡəʊl/
US/ˌpraɪmeri ˈɡoʊl/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    the most important aim that someone or something is trying to achieve

    Grammar: Countable; often used with 'the' and followed by 'of' or 'is to': the primary goal of the study; our primary goal is to save money.

    Patterns

    • the primary goal of something
    • someone's primary goal is to do something
    • with the primary goal of doing something

    The primary goal of the training program is to improve safety.

    My primary goal this year is to finish my degree.

    They started the charity with the primary goal of helping homeless families.

  2. nouncountablesport

    in sports, the main aim of scoring or winning, especially in games like soccer or hockey

    Grammar: Countable and often used in sports reports; usually appears after 'score' or 'achieve'.

    Patterns

    • score a primary goal
    • the primary goal of the game

    The team's primary goal is to score in the first ten minutes.

    He scored the primary goal that gave his team the lead.

Word forms

pluralprimary goals

Common combinations

main goal
Our main goal is customer satisfaction.
primary objective
The primary objective of the meeting was to agree on a budget.
primary aim
The primary aim of the campaign is to raise awareness.
primary purpose
The primary purpose of the law is to protect children.
primary target
The primary target for the new product is young professionals.

Synonyms and how they differ

main goal
Very similar in meaning, but 'main goal' is slightly more informal and common in everyday speech.
primary objective
More formal and often used in business or academic contexts; it emphasizes a planned, official aim.
chief aim
Similar but slightly literary or old-fashioned; 'primary goal' is more common in modern English.
key objective
Focuses on importance and is often used in project planning; 'primary goal' can be more personal.

Opposites

secondary goalminor aim

Word family

primarily adverb
Mainly; for the most part.
primary adjective
Main or most important.

Commonly confused: primary goal or primarily?

primary goal vs primarily

Primarily is an adverb meaning 'mainly'; primary is an adjective meaning 'main'. Don't confuse 'primary goal' with 'primarily goal', which is incorrect.

Practice

What is the primary goal ___ this project?

Make it your own

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