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)

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.

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. intentionally

verb

1. to intend or determine to do (something)

Other Word Forms

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

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

Previous environmental laws were passed 25 years ago and were widely acknowledged as no longer fit for purpose.

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Friends also say Wolfe showed an early sense of purpose.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s not just misguided but more like a crime against taste to exploit the Bard for such purposes.

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The Gaharwar Lab is among a small number of research groups investigating how molybdenum disulfide might be used for biomedical purposes.

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Roth withdrawals also won’t increase your income for purposes of calculating Medicare Parts B and D premiums, which are subject to a surcharge for higher-income retirees.

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Related Words

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