adverb
C1
Advanced
aimlessly
AYM-luhs-lee
Aimlessly (adverb) means In a manner without purpose or direction. Example: “The dog wandered aimlessly around the park.”
adverb
1
In a manner without purpose or direction.
"But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet."
— Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)
"The dog wandered aimlessly around the park."
"She scrolled aimlessly through her phone before bed."
"He wandered aimlessly through the crowd."
How to use aimlessly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something without any clear goal, purpose, or direction.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more aimlessly
- Superlative
- most aimlessly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog wandered _____ around the park.
Etymology
From "aimless" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."
Rhymes for aimlessly
expressly
endlessly
carelessly
hopelessly
painlessly
fearlessly
recklessly
helplessly
tirelessly
ruthlessly
selflessly
needlessly
See all rhymes for aimlessly →
Frequently asked questions
What does “aimlessly” mean?
The word “aimlessly” means in a manner without purpose or direction. In plain terms, doing something without any clear goal, purpose, or direction.
How do you pronounce “aimlessly”?
“Aimlessly” is pronounced AYM-luhs-lee (/ˈeɪmləsli/ in IPA).
How do you use “aimlessly” in a sentence?
Here is “aimlessly” used in a sentence: “The dog wandered aimlessly around the park.”
What part of speech is “aimlessly”?
“Aimlessly” is an adverb.
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