American English

happy

happy [happy happier happiest]   [ˈhæpi]    [ˈhæpi]  adjective (hap·pier, hap·pi·est)

 
FEELING/GIVING PLEASURE
1. feeling or showing pleasure; pleased
• a happy smile/face
• You don't look very happy today.
• ~ to do sth We are happy to announce the engagement of our daughter.
• ~ for sb I'm very happy for you.

• ~ (that)… I'm happy (that) you could come.

2. giving or causing pleasure
• a happy marriage/memory/childhood
• The story has a happy ending.

• Those were the happiest days of my life.  

AT CELEBRATION

3. if you wish sb a Happy Birthday, Happy New Year, etc. you mean that you hope they have a pleasant celebration  

SATISFIED
4. satisfied that sth is good or right; not anxious
• ~ (with sb/sth) Are you happy with that arrangement?
• I'm not happy with his work this term.
• She was happy enough with her performance.
• ~ (about sb/sth) If there's anything you're not happy about, come and ask.
• I'm not too happy about her living alone.

• I said I'd go just to keep him happy.  

WILLING

5. ~ to do sth (formal) willing or pleased to do sth
• I'm happy to leave it till tomorrow.

• He will be more than happy to come with us.  

LUCKY

6. lucky; successful
Syn:  fortunate
• By a happy coincidence, we arrived at exactly the same time.

• He is in the happy position of never having to worry about money.  

SUITABLE

7. (formal) (of words, ideas or behaviour) suitable and appropriate for a particular situation
• That wasn't the happiest choice of words.
more at the happy/golden mean at  mean  _n.
Idioms: happy event ▪ happy medium ▪ many happy returns ▪ not a happy bunny
Derived Word: happiness
See also: not a happy camper  
Word Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘lucky’): from the noun hap ‘good fortune’ + -y.  
Word Family:
happy adjective (≠ unhappy)
happily adverb (≠ unhappily)
happiness noun (≠ unhappiness) 
Synonyms:
glad
happy • pleased • delighted • proud • relieved • thrilled
These words all describe people feeling happy about sth that has happened or is going to happen.
glad • [not usually before noun] happy about sth or grateful for it: ▪ He was glad he'd come. ◊ ▪ She was glad when the meeting was over.
happy • pleased about sth nice that you have to do or sth that has happened to sb: ▪ We are happy to announce the engagement of our daughter.
pleased • [not before noun] happy about sth that has happened or sth that you have to do: ▪ She was very pleased with her exam results. ◊ ▪ You're coming? I'm so pleased.
glad, happy or pleased?
Feeling pleased can suggest that you have judged sb/sth and approve of them. Feeling glad can be more about feeling grateful for sth. You cannot be ‘glad with sb’: The boss should be glad with you. Happy can mean glad, pleased or satisfied.
delighted • very pleased about sth; very happy to do sth; showing your delight: ▪ I'm delighted at your news.
Delighted is often used to accept an invitation: ▪ ‘Can you stay for dinner?’ ‘I'd be delighted (to).’
proud • pleased and satisfied about sth that you own or have done, or are connected with: ▪ proud parents ◊ ▪ He was ▪ proud of ▪ himself for not giving up.
relieved • feeling happy because sth unpleasant has stopped or has not happened; showing this: ▪ You'll be relieved to know your jobs are safe.
thrilled • [not before noun] (rather informal) extremely pleased and excited about sth: ▪ I was thrilled to be invited.
delighted or thrilled?
Thrilled may express a stronger feeling than delighted, but delighted can be made stronger with absolutely, more than or only too. Thrilled can be made negative and ironic with not exactly or less than: ▪ She was ▪ not exactly thrilled ▪ at the prospect of looking after her niece.
glad/happy/pleased/delighted/relieved/thrilled about sth
pleased/delighted/relieved/thrilled at sth
glad/happy/pleased/delighted/thrilled for sb
glad/happy/pleased/delighted/proud/relieved/thrilled that…/to see/hear/find/know…
very glad/happy/pleased/proud/relieved
absolutely delighted/thrilled 
Synonyms:
happy
satisfied • content • contented • joyful • blissful
These words all describe feeling, showing or giving pleasure or satisfaction.
happy • feeling, showing or giving pleasure; satisfied with sth or not worried about it: ▪ a happy marriage/ memory/ childhood ◊ ▪ I said I'd go, just to ▪ keep him happy ▪.
satisfied • pleased because you have achieved sth or because sth has happened as you wanted it to; showing this satisfaction: ▪ She's never satisfied with what she's got. ◊ ▪ a satisfied smile
content • [not before noun] happy and satisfied with what you have: ▪ I'm perfectly ▪ content just to ▪ lie in the sun.
contented • happy and comfortable with what you have; showing this: ▪ a contented baby ◊ ▪ a long contented sigh
content or contented?
Being contented depends more on having a comfortable life; being content can depend more on your attitude to your life: you can have to be content or learn to be content. People or animals can be contented but only people can be content.
joyful • (rather formal) very happy; making people very happy
blissful • making people very happy; showing this happiness: ▪ three blissful weeks away
joyful or blissful?
Joy is a livelier feeling; bliss is more peaceful.
happy/satisfied/content/contented with sth
a happy/satisfied/contented/blissful smile
a happy/joyful occasion/celebration
to feel happy/satisfied/content/contented/joyful
very/perfectly/quite happy/satisfied/content/contented 
Synonyms:
satisfaction
happiness • pride • contentment • fulfilment
These are all words for the good feeling that you have when you are happy or when you have achieved sth.
satisfaction • the good feeling that you have when you have achieved sth or when sth that you wanted to happen does happen: ▪ He derived great satisfaction from knowing that his son was happy.
happiness • the good feeling that you have when you are happy: ▪ Money can't buy you happiness.
pride • a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction that you get when you or people who are connected with you have done sth well or own sth that other people admire: ▪ The sight of her son graduating filled her with pride.
contentment • (rather formal) a feeling of happiness or satisfaction with what you have: ▪ They found contentment in living a simple life.
fulfilment • a feeling of happiness or satisfaction with what you do or have done: ▪ her search for personal fulfilment
satisfaction, happiness, contentment or fulfilment?
You can feel satisfaction at achieving almost anything, small or large; you feel fulfilment when you do sth useful and enjoyable with your life. Happiness is the feeling you have when things give you pleasure and can be quite a lively feeling; contentment is a quieter feeling that you get when you have learned to find pleasure in things.
satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment/fulfilment in sth
real satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment/fulfilment
true satisfaction/happiness/contentment/fulfilment
great satisfaction/happiness/pride
quiet satisfaction/pride/contentment
to feel satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment
to bring sb satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment/fulfilment
to find satisfaction/happiness/contentment/fulfilment 
Example Bank:
• Dad seemed perfectly happy with my explanation.
• For the first time in her life, she felt truly happy.
• He went home from time to time, to keep his mother happy.
• Her boss was not entirely happy about the situation.
• I can die happy knowing that I have achieved this.
• I was quite happy with the way things went.
• I'm just happy to be back home.
• I'm not too happy about her attitude.
• It had been a gloriously happy time.
• Money won't make you happy.
• Outwardly the couple appeared happy.
• So you're getting married, I hear. I'm really happy for you!
• We'd be only too happy to accept your invitation.
• By a happy chance, I got a hotel room just five minutes from the university.
• By a happy coincidence, John was in London at that time too.
• Happy birthday!
• He is now in the happy position of never having to worry about money.
• I looked around at all the happy faces.
• I picked the restaurant pretty much at random, but it proved a happy choice all round.
• I said I'd go, just to keep him happy.
• If there's anything you're not happy about, come and ask.
• The story has a happy ending.

• a happy marriage/memory/childhood

music [music musics]   [ˈmjuːzɪk]   [ˈmjuːzɪk]  noun
uncountable
1. sounds that are arranged in a way that is pleasant or exciting to listen to. People sing music or play it on instruments
• pop/dance/classical/church music
• to listen to music
• She could hear music playing somewhere.
• It was a charming piece of music.
• the popularity of Mozart's music
• He wrote the music but I don't know who wrote the words.
• The poem has been set to music.
• Every week they get together to make music (= to play music or sing).

see also  chamber music, country music, rock music, soul music

2. the art of writing or playing music
• to study music
• a career in music
• music lessons

• the music business/industry

3. the written or printed signs that represent the sounds to be played or sung in a piece of music
• Can you read music (= understand the signs in order to play or sing a piece of music)?
• I had to play it without the music.
• The music was still open on the piano (= the paper or book with the musical notes on it).
see also  sheet music
more at face the music at  face  _v.
Idiom: music to your ears  
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French musique, via Latin from Greek mousikē (tekhnē) ‘(art) of the Muses’, from mousa ‘muse’.  
Thesaurus:
music noun U
• pop/dance/classical music
singing • • song • • melody • • harmony •
(a) beautiful music/singing/songharmony/melody
listen to/hear music/singing/a song/the melody/the harmony 
Collocations:
Music
Listening
listen to/enjoy/love/be into music/classical music/jazz/pop/hip-hop, etc.
listen to the radio/an MP3 player/a CD
put on/play a CD/a song/some music
turn down/up the music/radio/volume/bass
go to a concert/festival/gig/performance/recital
copy/burn/rip music/a CD/a DVD
download music/an album/a song/a demo/a video
Playing
play a musical instrument/the piano/percussion/a note/a riff/the melody/a concerto/a duet/by ear
sing an anthem/a ballad/a solo/an aria/the blues/in a choir/soprano/alto/tenor/bass/out of tune
hum a tune/a theme tune/a lullaby
accompany a singer/choir
strum a chord/guitar
Performing
form/start/get together/join/quit/leave a band
give a performance/concert/recital
do a concert/recital/gig
play a concert/gig/festival/venue
perform (BrE) at/in a concert/(especially NAmE) a concert
appear at a festival/live
go on/embark on a (world) tour
Recording
write/compose music/a ballad/a melody/a tune/a song/a theme song/an opera/a symphony
land/get/sign a record deal
be signed to/be dropped by a record company
record/release/put out an album/a single/a CD
be top of/top the charts
get to/go straight to/go straight in at/enter the charts at number one 
Example Bank:
• Birmingham's live music scene
• Calypso music played faintly in the distance.
• Can you read music?
• Could you turn that music down?
• He got into music by chance.
• He made up the words and music for the song.
• He played the piece without music.
• Heavy music thundered from the basement.
• Her taste in music was eclectic.
• I pulled the lyrics out and laid them on the music stand.
• I use my laptop to burn music to a CD.
• Listening to music is a great way to relax.
• Music filled the air.
• Put some music on, would you?
• Put your music on the music stand.
• Schubert set several poems by Goethe to music.
• She could hear loud music from the party upstairs.
• She is a rising star in the music world.
• She's really into indie music.
• The ability to appreciate music is largely learnt.
• The album has been praised in the music press.
• The band are number one in the music charts.
• The city has produced a lot of good music.
• The movie uses appropriate period music.
• The music sounded vibrant and loud.
• The music was coming from next door.
• The soft background music made her feel sleepy.
• The sound of pop music drifted through the open window.
• They did their exercises in time to the music.
• We bought a new television and music centre at the weekend.
• We love to make music as a family.
• With the guidance of the conductor, an orchestra creates music and harmonies.
• a beach party with music provided by a local band
• an evening of Scottish music and song
• bars and nightclubs blaring music late into the night
• disco music blaring out of the open windows of a car
• music for piano, cello and voice
• music legend, Elvis Presley
• software that rips music from CDs
• the choir's music director
• the incidental music for a radio play
• the music emerging from the cities of America
• the music which accompanied the dance
• to dance to the music
• Every week they get together to make music.
• He wrote the music but I don't know who wrote the words.
• It was a charming piece of music.
• Many people believe that listening to Mozart's music can improve memory and learning.
• People often choose to listen to music that suits their moods and activities.
• The poem has been set to music.

• pop/dance/classical/church music

apple [apple apples]   [ˈæpl]    [ˈæpl]  noun

a round fruit with shiny red or green skin and firm white flesh
• an apple pie
• apple sauce
• a garden with three apple trees
see also  Adam's apple, Big Apple, cooking apple, crab apple, eating apple, toffee apple 
more at as American as apple pie at  American  _adj., a rotten apple at  rotten
Idioms: apple doesn't fall falls far from the tree ▪ apple of somebody's eye ▪ apples and oranges  
Word Origin:
Old English æppel, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch appel and German Apfel.  
Example Bank:
• Add some sugar to the stewed apple— it's still a little tart.
• He just sat there munching on an apple.

• The apples were all bruised after being dropped on the floor.

cour·age   [ˈkʌrɪdʒ]    [ˈkɜːrɪdʒ]  noun uncountable
the ability to do sth dangerous, or to face pain or opposition, without showing fear
Syn:  bravery
• He showed great courage and determination.
• I haven't yet plucked up the courage to ask her.
• moral/physical courage
• courage in the face of danger
see also  Dutch courage 
more at screw up your courage at  screw  _v.
Idioms: have the courage of your convictions ▪ take courage ▪ take your courage in both hands  
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the heart, as the seat of feelings): from Old French corage, from Latin cor ‘heart’.  
Thesaurus:
courage [courage] noun U
• He showed great courage in the face of danger.
bravery • • heroism • • nerve • • audacity • • daring • |informal guts • |literary, BrE valour • |AmE valor •
Opp: cowardice
have the courage/bravery/nerve/audacity/guts
show courage/bravery
doing sth takes courage/bravery/nerve/guts
an act of courage/bravery/heroism/valour
Courage or bravery? Courage is often about facing opposition; bravery is more often about facing physical danger or pain
• They lack the moral courage to speak out.
• He received the medal as an award for bravery.
 
Example Bank:
• He lacked the courage to try something new.
• He showed great calmness and courage under fire.
• I admire your courage in saying what you think.
• I didn't have the courage to tell him.
• I finally plucked up enough courage to speak to Rachel.
• It takes courage to sing in public.
• This is a chance for him to show leadership and political courage.
• an act of personal courage that moved people
• stories of incredible physical courage
• I haven't yet plucked up the courage to ask her.
• She displayed remarkable courage in the face of danger.
• Unfortunately, they lack the moral courage to speak out against what is happening.

• You need to have the courage of your convictions.

mean

mean [mean means meant meaning meaner meanest] verb, adjective, noun   [miːn]    [miːn] 

verb (meant, meant   [ment]  ;   [ment]  ) 

HAVE AS MEANING
1. (not used in the progressive tenses) to have sth as a meaning
• ~ sth What does this sentence mean?
• What is meant by ‘batch processing’?
• ~ sth to sb Does the name ‘Jos Vos’ mean anything to you (= do you know who he is)?

• ~ (that)… The flashing light means (that) you must stop.  

INTEND AS MEANING

2. (not used in the progressive tenses) to intend to say sth on a particular occasion
• ~ sth What did he mean by that remark?
• ‘Perhaps we should try another approach.’ ‘ What do you mean? (= I don't understand what you are suggesting.) ’
• What do you mean, you thought I wouldn't mind? (= of course I mind and I am very angry)
• What she means is that there's no point in waiting here.
• I always found him a little strange, if you know what I mean (= if you understand what I mean by ‘strange’).
• I know what you mean (= I understand and feel sympathy). I hated learning to drive too.
• (informal) It was like— weird. Know what I mean?
• I see what you mean (= I understand although I may not agree), but I still think it's worth trying.
• See what I mean (= I was right and this proves it, doesn't it)? She never agrees to anything I suggest.
• ‘But Pete doesn't know we're here!’ ‘ That's what I mean! (= that's what I have been trying to tell you.) ’
• Do you mean Ann Smith or Mary Smith?
• ~ (that)… Did he mean (that) he was dissatisfied with our service?

• You mean (= are you telling me) we have to start all over again?  

HAVE AS PURPOSE

3. to have sth as a purpose or intention
Syn:  intend
• ~ sth What did she mean by leaving so early (= why did she do it)?
• Don't laugh! I mean it (= I am serious).
• He means trouble (= to cause trouble).
• ~ sth as sth Don't be upset— I'm sure she meant it as a compliment.
• ~ what… He means what he says (= is not joking, exaggerating, etc.).
• ~ sth for sb/sth The chair was clearly meant for a child.
• Don't be angry. I'm sure she meant it for the best (= intended to be helpful).
• ~ to do sth She means to succeed.
• I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to.
• I'm feeling very guilty— I've been meaning to call my parents for days, but still haven't got around to it.
• ~ sb/sth to do sth I didn't mean you to read the letter.
• You're meant to (= you are supposed to) pay before you go in.

• ~ (that)… (formal) I never meant (that) you should come alone.  

INTEND SB TO BE/DO STH

4. often passive to intend sb to be or do sth
• ~ sb for sth/sb I was never meant for the army (= did not have the qualities needed to become a soldier).
• Duncan and Makiko were meant for each other (= are very suitable as partners).
• ~ sb/sth to be sth His father meant him to be an engineer.

• She did everything to get the two of them together, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.  

HAVE AS RESULT

5. to have sth as a result or a likely result
Syn:  entail
• ~ sth Spending too much now will mean a shortage of cash next year.
• ~ to be/do sth Do you have any idea what it means to be poor?
• ~ (that)… We'll have to be careful with money but that doesn't mean (that) we can't enjoy ourselves.
• ~ doing sth This new order will mean working overtime.

• ~ sb/sth doing sth The injury could mean him missing next week's game.  

BE IMPORTANT

6. no passive ~ sth to sb to be of value or importance to sb
• Your friendship means a great deal to me.
• $20 means a lot (= represents a lot of money) when you live on $100 a week.
• Money means nothing to him.
• Her children mean the world to her.
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
v. Old English mænan West Germanic Dutch meenen German meinen Indo-European mind
adj. senses 1 to 4 and adj. senses 6 to 8 Middle English Old English gemǣne Germanic Indo-European Latin communis ‘common’ ‘common to two or more people’ ‘inferior in rank’ ‘ignoble, small-minded’
adj. sense 5 and n. Middle English Old French meien Latin medianus ‘middle’ medius ‘mid’
 
Thesaurus:
mean verb
1. T (not used in the progressive tenses)
• What does this sentence mean?
indicate • • imply • • mark • |formal signify • • denote • |especially journalism signal •
mean/indicate/imply/signify sth to sb
mean/indicate/imply/signify that…
mean/indicate/mark/signify/denote/signal the beginning/start/arrival/end of sth
2. T (not used in the progressive tenses)
• What do you mean by that remark?
suggest • • hint • • imply • |spoken what sb is getting/driving at • |formal intend • |disapproving insinuate •
mean/suggest by/as sth
mean/suggest/hint/imply/insinuate that…
seem/appear to mean/suggest/hint/imply sth
3. T
• I didn't mean to hurt you.
intend • • plan • • aim • |formal propose •
mean/intend/plan/aim/propose to do sth
sb originally meant/intended/planned sth
4. T, usually passive (not used in the progressive tenses)
• His father meant him to be an engineer.
be intended to for/as/to be sth • • design • • be aimed at sth •
be meant/designed/intended for/as sth
be meant/designed/intended to be/do sth
5. T
• This order will mean working overtime.
involve • • entail • • spell • |formal necessitate • • imply •
sth means/implies that…
sth means/involves/entails/necessitates/implies a/an increase/reduction
sth usually/inevitably/necessarily/actually means/involves/entails/implies sth 
Language Bank:
i.e.
Explaining what you mean
▪ Some poems are mnemonics, i.e. ▪ they are designed to help you remember something.
▪ Some poems are mnemonics, that is to say ▪, they are designed to help you remember something.
▪ Mnemonic poems, that is ▪ poems designed to help you remember something, are an excellent way to learn lists.
▪ A limerick's rhyme scheme is A–A–B–B–A. In other words ▪, the first, second, and fifth lines all rhyme with one another, while the third and fourth lines have their own rhyme.
▪ In this exercise the reader is encouraged to work out the meaning, or rather ▪ the range of meanings, of the poem.
▪ This is a poem about death, or, more precisely ▪, dying.
▪ He says his poems deal with ‘the big issues’, by which he means ▪ love, loss, grief and death.
Language Bank at about  
Example Bank:
• ‘But Pete doesn't know we're here!’ ‘That's what I mean!’
• ‘Perhaps we should try another approach.’ ‘What do you mean?’
• Do you mean Steve Jones or Alex Jones?
• Does the name ‘David Berwick’ mean anything to you?
• Don't be angry. I'm sure she meant it for the best.
• Don't be upset— I'm sure he meant it as a compliment.
• Don't laugh! I mean it.
• He means trouble.
• He means what he says.
• I always found him a little strange, if you know what I mean.
• I didn't mean to read your letter.
• I know what you mean. I hated learning to drive too.
• I see what you mean, but I still think it's worth trying.
• I was never meant for the army.
• I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to.
• I've been meaning to call her, but I've been so busy lately.
• It was like— weird. Know what I mean?
• Mr President, does this mean an end to the current conflict?
• Philip and Kim were meant for each other.
• See what I mean She never agrees to anything I suggest.
• The cost would have meant financial ruin for us.
• The house was clearly meant to be a family home.
• The injury could mean him missing next week's game.
• There was a rack by the door presumably meant for umbrellas.
• They are not using the system in the way the manufacturer meant it to be used.
• Touching the wires means instant death.
• We'll have to be careful with money but that doesn't mean (that) we can't enjoy ourselves.
• What did she mean by leaving so early = why did she do it?
• What do you mean, you thought I wouldn't mind?
• What is meant by ‘batch processing’?
• What she means is that there is no point in waiting here.
• You mean we have to start all over again?
• You're meant to pay before you go in.
Idioms: I mean ▪ happy mean ▪ mean business ▪ mean no harm ▪ mean to say ▪ mean well ▪ meant to be something ▪ no mean … ▪ not mean any harm

Derived Words: meanly ▪ meanness 

actor

actor [actor actors]   [ˈæktə(r)]    [ˈæktər]  noun
a person who performs on the stage, on television or in films/movies, especially as a profession 
Word Origin:
late Middle English (originally denoting an agent or administrator): from Latin, doer, actor, from agere ‘do, act’. The theatre sense dates from the 16th cent.  
Thesaurus:
actor actress noun C
• She is one of the country's leading actors.
performer • • artist • • comedian • • entertainer • |especially AmE movie star • |BrE usually film star • |especially BrE artiste •
a young actor/actress/performer/artist/comedian/entertainer/artiste
a famous actor/actress/performer/artist/comedian/entertainer/movie star/film star
a/an talented/aspiring actor/actress/performer/artist/comedian/entertainer 
Example Bank:

• She is one of the country's leading actors.

goal

goal AW [goal goals]   [ɡəʊl]    [ɡoʊl]  noun

1. (in sports) a frame with a net into which players must kick or hit the ball in order to score a point
• He headed the ball into an open goal (= one that had nobody defending it).

• Who is in goal (= is the goalkeeper ) for Arsenal?

2. the act of kicking or hitting the ball into the goal; a point that is scored for this
• The winning goal was scored by Hill.
• Liverpool won by three goals to one.
• United conceded two goals in the first half.
• a penalty goal

see also  drop goal, golden goal, own goal

3. something that you hope to achieve
Syn:  aim
• to work towards a goal
• to achieve/attain a goal
• You need to set yourself some long-term goals.
• Our ultimate goal must be the preservation of the environment.
• Their goal was to eradicate malaria.  
Word Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘limit, boundary’): of unknown origin.  
Thesaurus:
goal noun C
• He pursued his goal of becoming a photographer.
objective • • target • • aim • • object • • purpose • • plan • |formal end •
goals/objectives/targets/aims/plans for sth
work towards a/an goal/objective/target/aim
the main/primary/prime/principal goal/objective/target/aim/object/purpose
Goal, objective or target? Goals usually relate to a person or organization's long-term plans. Targets are usually specific figures, such as a number of sales, that are set officially, for example by an employer or a government committee. People often set their own objectives that they wish to achieve, for example as part of a project, campaign or piece of writing.  
Synonyms:
target
objective • goal • object • end
These are all words for sth that you are trying to achieve.
target • a result that you try to achieve: ▪ Set yourself targets that you can reasonably hope to achieve. ◊ ▪ attainment targets in schools
objective • (rather formal) something that you are trying to achieve: ▪ What is the main objective of this project?
goal • something that you hope to achieve: ▪ He continued to pursue his goal of becoming an actor.
target, objective or goal?
A target is usually officially recorded in some way, for example by an employer or by a government committee. It is often specific, and in the form of figures, such as number of sales or exam passes, or a date. People often set their own objectives: these are things that they wish to achieve, often as part of a project or a talk they are giving. Goals are often long-term, and relate to people's life and career plans or the long-term plans of a company or organization.
object • the purpose of sth; sth that you plan to achieve: ▪ The object is to educate people about road safety.
end • something that you plan to achieve: ▪ He joined the society for political ends. ◊ ▪ That's only OK if you believe that ▪ the end justifies the means ▪ ▪ (= bad methods of doing sth are acceptable if the final result is good) ▪.
End is usually used in the plural or in particular fixed expressions.
to work towards a(n) target/objective/goal
an ambitious/major/long-term/short-term/future target/objective/goal
economic/financial/business targets/objectives/goals
to set/agree on/identify/reach/meet/exceed a(n) target/objective/goal
to achieve a(n) target/objective/goal/end 
Example Bank:
• Bahr made his fifth field goal of the day.
• He kicked the ball into an open goal.
• It is important to have explicit goals.
• Our immediate goal is to earn enough money to keep the business going.
• The equalizing goal came from Cole.
• The fans were annoyed that the team gave away such a soft goal.
• The goalkeeper was injured so a defender had to go in goal.
• The prison service pursues the twin goals of the punishment and rehabilitation of offenders.
• The referee disallowed the goal.
• The second goal came from a penalty.
• They have set themselves some ambitious goals.
• They scored three goals against the home team.
• Two field goals gave the Tigers an early lead.
• Vega scored an unfortunate own goal when he slipped as he tried to clear the ball.
• Visconti scored one goal himself and made two for Lupo.
• We are all working towards a common goal.
• Who's in goal for Arsenal?
• his first goal for Spain
• their goal of providing free university education for everyone
• He continued to pursue his goal of becoming a photographer.

• The company has set itself some long-term organizational goals.