primary goals

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   The most important aims or purposes that someone or something wants to achieve.

   Grammar: Countable plural; use 'a primary goal' for one aim.

   Patterns

   • primary goals of something
   • set primary goals
   • achieve primary goals

   The primary goals of the project are to reduce costs and improve safety.

   Her primary goals for the year are to learn Spanish and run a marathon.

2. 2nounpluralbusiness

   In business or education, the main objectives that guide decisions and measure success.

   Grammar: Often used in formal contexts such as reports and strategic plans.

   Patterns

   • align with primary goals
   • primary goals and objectives

   The team's primary goals were listed at the top of the report.

   All departments must align their work with the company's primary goals.

Common combinations

primary goal of

The primary goal of the training is to improve customer service.

set primary goals

At the start of the year, we set three primary goals.

achieve primary goals

They worked hard to achieve their primary goals by December.

main primary goals

The main primary goals are listed in the first section.

Synonyms and how they differ

main goals

More common in everyday speech and slightly less formal than 'primary goals'.

chief objectives

Very formal and often used in official documents; 'primary goals' is a little more general.

key aims

Similar meaning but 'aims' often suggests intention, while 'goals' suggests a target to reach.

Opposites

Word family

primary adjective

Most important or main.

primarily adverb

Mainly; mostly.

goal noun

Something you aim to achieve.

Commonly confused: primary goals or prime?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “primary goals”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words