purpose

[ pur-puhs ]

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.

verb (used with object)

, pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.

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)

, pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.

1. to have a purpose.

purpose

/ 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. on purpose
   intentionally

verb

1. to intend or determine to do (something)

Other Words From

• pre·purpose verb (used with object) prepurposed prepurposing
• re·purpose verb (used with object) repurposed repurposing
• un·purposed adjective
• un·purpos·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purpose¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of purpose¹

C13: from Old French porpos, from porposer to plan, from Latin prōpōnere to propose

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing purpose

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

Synonym Study

See intention.

Example Sentences

"The purpose of the present study was to examine hobby -- an understudied but prevalent part of the nonwork domain -- to understand if and how MMO gaming positively enriches employees' work domain," said Shirmohammadi.

From Science Daily

Part of the problem was that the original purpose of gifted programs had been lost in parental competition for prestige and advantage.

From Los Angeles Times

Starmer insisted the missiles were to be used for defensive purposes but said "it's up to Ukraine to decide how to deploy it".

From BBC

This ushers in a new set of elites, still white, but with a disdain for neoliberal institutions that no longer serve their purpose.

From Salon

She is only using her married name for the purposes of the trial.

From BBC