purpose

American  

[pur-puhs] / ˈpɜr pəs /

noun

1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

   Synonyms:

   target, objective, object, rationale, point

2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

3. determination; resoluteness.

4. the subject in hand; the point at issue.

5. practical result, effect, or advantage.

   to act to good purpose.

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verb (used with object)

purposed, purposing

1. to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.

2. to intend; design.

   Synonyms:

   plan, contemplate, mean

3. to resolve (to do something).

   He purposed to change his way of life radically.

verb (used without object)

purposed, purposing

1. to have a purpose.

idioms

1. on purpose, by design; intentionally.

   How could you do such a thing on purpose?

2. to the purpose, relevant; to the point.

   Her objections were not to the purpose.

purpose British  

/ ˈpɜːpəs /

noun

1. the reason for which anything is done, created, or exists

2. a fixed design, outcome, or idea that is the object of an action or other effort

3. fixed intention in doing something; determination

   a man of purpose

4. practical advantage or use

   to work to good purpose

5. that which is relevant or under consideration (esp in the phrase to or from the purpose )

6. archaic purport

7. intentionally

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verb

1. to intend or determine to do (something)

purpose More Idioms  

1. see at cross purposes; for all intents and purposes; on purpose; serve a purpose; to good purpose; to little or no purpose.

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Related Words

See intention.

Other Word Forms

• prepurpose verb (used with object)
• repurpose verb (used with object)
• unpurposed adjective
• unpurposing adjective

Etymology

Origin of purpose

First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English purpos, from Old French, derivative of purposer, variant of proposer “to propose ”; (verb) Middle English purposen, from Anglo-French, Old French purposer

Example Sentences

But he insists that destroying one lab after another serves a purpose.

From BBC

Potentially, they ranked company culture third as they may place a high value on internal stakeholder buy-in and unanimity of purpose.

From Barron's

There’s purpose: A few minutes of sleep can calm the nerves.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We also encourage other school leaders across the country to review their policies and practices to ensure they're fit for purpose and so other pupils aren't put in harm's way by similar failures."

From BBC

“But it was an accident, right? Leo doesn’t seem the type to do that on purpose.”

From Literature

Related Words

• ambition
• aspiration
• desire
• determination
• direction
• function
• goal
• idea
• intent
• objective
• plan
• principle
• project
• reason
• scheme
• scope
• view
• wish