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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."

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern

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/

Meaning & Usage

- To Intend or Plan (verb phrase)

Papaw:
I aim to mend that fence come mornin’.
Mamaw:
Reckon I’ll hold you to it this time.

- To Promise Politely / Mean Well (fixed phrase)

Store Clerk:
We aim to please.
Customer:
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

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What does "aim to" mean?
It means "plan to" or "intend to," as in "I aim to get started soon."
Is it still used?
Very much so - especially in Southern and Appalachian regions, in both conversation and polite service talk.
Is it the same as "fixin’ to"?
Close - "fixin’ to" implies you’re about to act; "aim to" means you plan to eventually.

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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