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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Synonym Usage

See intention.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

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

Explanation

When you do something with purpose, you do it with determination. When your activities have a purpose, you have an aim or intention in mind. This noun also has a third meaning: "function, role, or use." The purpose of a fork, for instance, is to spear and scoop food from your plate, not to poke your little brother at the dinner table. Purpose can also be used as a verb meaning "to reach a decision" or "to intend," though these uses of the word are quite a bit less frequent nowadays.

Example Sentences

IQM is slated to go public next quarter through a business combination with Real Asset Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Winmill said capital appreciation is the sole purpose of the fund, which has outperformed the S&P 500 on three-, five- and 10-year annualized bases.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

“How do you clarify or explain the purpose of a ‘home theater?’

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Even if you never bore witness to that outrageous performance, its elemental alchemy vibrates in the band’s most popular songs, each of them calling to us with purpose.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

There was only one thing Danny believed in more than magic, and it was that Pili loved him and would never have left him alone on purpose.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Related Words

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