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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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

Chinese vessels on research missions often give cover to military purposes, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was a nature-loving conservationist and an unrepentant big-game hunter, a Victorian moralist who betrayed his own party and skirted the law when it suited his purposes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Beyond flooding the internet with commoditized content, techno-optimists worry that AI slop has stigmatized the use of AI for legitimate productive purposes.

From MarketWatch

However, Jensen says watching Arnett tank, even on purpose, was “brutal.”

From Los Angeles Times

Decentralized operations, a strong balance sheet, modest leverage and a culture of trust all served one purpose: preserving judgment under stress.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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