goal
goal
Pronunciation
/goʊl/: /ɡ/ (voiced velar stop) + /oʊ/ (diphthong, as in "boat") + /l/ (voiced alveolar lateral approximant)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: goal
Plural Noun: goals
Verb (usually used with "set," "score," "achieve"): goal (less common as a standalone verb in general usage, but seen in specific contexts like "to goal the ball")
Adjective: goalless (e.g., a goalless draw)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The object or end toward which effort is directed; an aim or desired result.
Synonyms: objective, aim, purpose, target, ambition, aspiration, destination
Antonyms: beginning, start, origin, means (in the sense of method rather than end)
Definition 2 (Sports): An act of scoring in certain sports, such as soccer, hockey, or basketball, where a player propels the ball or puck into a designated area or net. Also, the physical structure or area into which the ball or puck must be propelled to score.
Synonyms: point, score, basket (basketball), net (as in the physical structure)
Antonyms: miss, save (in the context of preventing a goal)
Verb
Definition 1 (Transitive, less common in general use, primarily sports-related): To score a goal; to propel a ball or puck into a designated scoring area.
Synonyms: score, net (as a verb), convert (a chance)
Antonyms: miss, fail to score
Adjective
Definition 1 (from "goalless"): Lacking a goal or goals, especially in a sports context where no points have been scored by either side.
Synonyms: scoreless, tied (in terms of points)
Antonyms: high-scoring, decisive (in terms of a clear winner)
Examples of Use
Books:
"His long-term goal was to open his own bakery, a dream he'd nurtured since childhood." (From a fictional novel about a chef's journey)
"The author's primary goal in writing this historical account was to shed light on lesser-known figures of the era." (From a literary criticism or non-fiction review)
Newspapers:
"The national team's goal of reaching the World Cup quarterfinals remains a challenging, yet achievable, ambition." ("Daily Nation," Sports Section, July 1, 2025)
"City planners have set a new goal to reduce carbon emissions by 20% over the next five years." ("The Standard," Local News, June 30, 2025)
Online Publications:
"Our company's Q3 goal is to increase user engagement by 15% through improved interface design." (TechCrunch.com, Business Strategy Article, May 22, 2025)
"Achieving financial independence is a common goal for many young professionals, and here are five strategies to help you get there." (Forbes.com, Personal Finance Article, April 15, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Our ultimate goal is to expose the truth, no matter the cost." (Dialogue from a suspense thriller, often spoken by a protagonist)
Television Series: "My goal for this season is to win the cooking competition." (From a reality cooking show contestant, Episode 3, Season 7)
Video Games: "New Quest: Reach the Ancient Temple. Your primary goal is to retrieve the relic." (On-screen text in an adventure role-playing game)
Podcasts: "The goal of this podcast is to delve deep into the psychology of decision-making." (From a podcast host's introduction, "The Mindful Path," Episode 12)
Music (Lyrics): "Every step I take, every move I make, leads me closer to my goal." (From a pop song lyric, common theme of aspiration)
General Public Discourse:
Conversation: "My goal for the weekend is just to relax and catch up on some reading." (Spoken by an individual in casual conversation)
Public Speech/Meeting: "Our shared goal as a community is to ensure a safe and prosperous future for our children." (From a local politician addressing constituents at a town hall meeting)
Social Media: "Crushed my workout goal today! Feeling strong! #FitnessGoals" (Posted by a user on Instagram or Twitter)
Educational Setting: "What is your main goal for this academic year?" (Question posed by a teacher to a student)
10 Famous Quotes Using Goal
"Our prime goal in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." (Dalai Lama XIV)
"The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself. You set a goal, you work toward it." (Mark Caine)
"A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at." (Bruce Lee)
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." (C.S. Lewis)
"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." (Albert Einstein)
"The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor. This sailing is the goal of life." (Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.)
"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." (Tony Robbins)
"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." (Confucius)
"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. Every single day, your goal should be to be a little bit better than you were the day before." (Zig Ziglar)
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. This is my goal for all of you." (Eleanor Roosevelt, often adapted from her original saying about dreams and future)
Etymology
The word "goal" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It comes from an Old English word, "gālan," which originally meant something like "to hinder" or "to impede." This might seem odd, as today "goal" is all about reaching something, not stopping it.
However, over time, the meaning shifted. The first known use of "goal" with a meaning closer to what we understand today appeared in the 14th century. At this point, it referred to a "limit" or "boundary" in a race or contest. Think of it like the finish line – the boundary you were aiming for.
From this idea of a "limit" or "destination," the word gradually evolved to mean "the object of an effort" or "the end to which an action is directed." This is the meaning we most commonly use today, whether it's a goal in a soccer game or a personal goal you're trying to achieve in life.
So, while its earliest roots were about stopping or hindering, "goal" transformed to represent the very thing you strive to reach or accomplish.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Goal
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "goal":
Score a goal: To achieve a desired outcome or point in a game.
Net a goal: Similar to "score a goal," often used in sports.
Set a goal: To establish an objective or target.
Achieve a goal: To successfully reach an objective.
Move the goalposts: To unfairly change the rules or criteria for success during a process.
Own goal: An unintended action that harms one's own side or interests.
Goalless draw/match: A game where neither team scores any points.
Reach one's goal: To attain a desired outcome.
Life goals: Major objectives or aspirations for one's life.
Financial goals: Specific targets related to money management or wealth accumulation.
Career goals: Aspirations related to one's professional development.
An end goal: The ultimate objective or final desired outcome.
Primary goal: The most important objective.
A moving target (similar effect, using synonym "target"): An objective that is difficult to pinpoint or achieve because it keeps changing.
Aim for the stars (similar effect, implying a grand objective): To set very ambitious goals.
Keep your eye on the prize (similar effect, with "prize" as the goal): To stay focused on the ultimate objective.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of goal from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
