purposely

[pur-puhs-lee]

adverb

1. intentionally; deliberately.

   He tripped me purposely.

2. with the particular purpose specified; expressly.

   I wore that suit purposely to make a good impression.

purposely

/ ˈpɜːpəslɪ /

adverb

1. for a definite reason; on purpose

Other Word Forms

• unpurposely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of purposely¹

First recorded in 1485–95; purpose + -ly

Example Sentences

With her sophomore album, “Solace,” she “purposely made a concerted effort to move away from that,” McLachlan says, “because I wanted to know what I sounded like.”

From Los Angeles Times

The news report brought the hearing to a temporary halt, sparking anger, frustration and accusations that prison officials had purposely released the recording to cause a “spectacle.”

From Los Angeles Times

He added that it created “an impossible standard that we can’t meet,” and that rules were “purposely vague so they could choose to enforce against whoever they wanted, whenever they wanted.”

From Salon

The president has purposely upended domestic and world trade, leading both the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to downgrade their predictions for global economic growth as a result.

From Salon

But just what reality is primary is something the series purposely confuses and doesn’t quite settle or really needs to.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consciously 
• deliberately 
• explicitly 
• expressly 
• knowingly www.thesaurus.com
• willfully 

When To Use

What does purposely mean?

Purposely is used to describe an action done intentionally, deliberately, or for a specific reason.The word purposefully means in a determined way or in a way that’s full of purpose. It should not be used to mean intentionally or deliberately.Example: I show up late to parties purposely so I’m not the first one there.