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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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

“I think at the end of the day ... I’m trying to help this team win. That’s the whole purpose of being here,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The company plans to launch a general purpose version of Isaac for homes this year, but it's not clear how many tasks will be autonomous.

From BBC

It says customers use postmarking for their own purposes.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The purpose is to curb attempts at remilitarization and nuclear ambitions, and the measures are entirely legitimate, reasonable and lawful,” a spokesman for the ministry said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Worse, some are using opaque, off-balance-sheet “special purpose vehicles” to house the newly issued debt without affecting their credit ratings.

From Barron's

Related Words

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