purposeful

[ pur-puhs-fuhl ]

adjective

1. having a purpose.
2. determined; resolute.
3. full of meaning; significant.

purposeful

/ ˈpɜːpəsfʊl /

adjective

1. having a definite purpose in view
2. fixed in one's purpose; determined

Usage

Purposefully is sometimes wrongly used where purposely is meant: he had purposely (not purposefully ) left the door unlocked

Derived Forms

• ˈpurposefully, adverb
• ˈpurposefulness, noun

Other Words From

• pur·pose·ful·ly adverb
• pur·pose·ful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of purposeful¹

First recorded in 1850–55; purpose + -ful

Example Sentences

The latter drew a flood of scathing reviews of the family’s auto repair shop — “Worst car care Ive been to,” one Yelp reviewer wrote online — in a purposeful left-wing campaign of retribution.

From Los Angeles Times

In response to Fat Joe raising the impact of misinformation on the election, Harris responded that it’s a purposeful attempt to depress the vote.

From Los Angeles Times

So it doesn't serve a purposeful function for society or for women.

From BBC

But the skipper showed his team-mates the way with a purposeful innings, never missing an opportunity to attack the England bowlers.

From BBC

That sense of duty, coupled with an opportunistic boldness, leads this thoughtful, socially skillful collegian down a path that, while setting him apart as a purposeful prodigy, eventually puts his carefully cultivated future at risk.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• calculated
• deliberate
• determined
• intense
• persistent
• resolute
• strong-willed