Goals

Definition:

Used to express admiration for something aspirational or ideal that one wishes to emulate or achieve in their own life

Context:

The "goals" phenomenon emerged in the late 2000s but exploded in popularity around 2014-2015 with the rise of hashtag culture on Instagram & Twitter. Originally manifesting as compound forms like "#RelationshipGoals" to highlight idealized romantic relationships, the trend quickly expanded to encompass numerous variations including #SquadGoals (for friend group aspirations), #BodyGoals (ideal physiques), #CareerGoals, and #LifeGoals, among countless others that could apply to virtually any desirable situation or achievement.

Common variations include the prefix form (X + goals), or as a predicate ("This is goals"). Nowadays it is much less overused (not everything is "goals"), and often carries a layer of irony or nostalgia.

Example:

^{(all names & events in the
following scenario have been made
up)}

Betth: “I love that Mom & Dad still go on regular date nights - literal goals!”

Jayke: “Meanwhile, my longest lasting commitment is to my house plant and even that I forget to water sometimes...”