Aim To
Aim to means "intend to" or "plan to." It’s a steady Southern and Appalachian way of speaking that turns intention into plain talk - less formal than "intend."
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Fixin' to' means it's about to happen - 'aim to' is more about a plan, usually long term. May or may not happen, but you're gonna try. Pretty common out in the country. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Fixin' to' means it's about to happen - 'aim to' is more about a plan, usually long term. May or may not happen, but you're gonna try. Pretty common out in the country. Pronunciation
[AYM to]
/ˈeɪm tə/
/ˈeɪm tə/
Meaning & Usage
- To Intend or Plan (verb phrase)
Papaw:
I aim to mend that fence come mornin’.
I aim to mend that fence come mornin’.
Mamaw:
Reckon I’ll hold you to it this time.
Reckon I’ll hold you to it this time.- To Promise Politely / Mean Well (fixed phrase)
Store Clerk:
We aim to please.
We aim to please.
Customer:
Well, you surely did.
Well, you surely did.★ "I aim to" and "I’m fixin’ to" overlap in meaning, but aim to sounds a bit calmer and older - less urgency, more steady purpose. ★
Origin and Etymology
Draws from older English usage of aim meaning "to direct one’s purpose toward." It stayed active in Southern and Appalachian dialect long after other regions shifted to "intend to."
Usage Notes
Still common across the rural South and border states. Often used with mild humor or sincerity. In writing, both aim to and aimin’ to appear in dialect dialogue.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 9). Aim To. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aim-to
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Aim To." HillbillySlang.com, 9 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aim-to.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Aim To." HillbillySlang.com. October 9, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/aim-to.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...