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)

, pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.

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)

, pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.

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. on purpose
   intentionally

verb

1. to intend or determine to do (something)

Other Words From

• pre·purpose verb (used with object) prepurposed prepurposing
• re·purpose verb (used with object) repurposed repurposing
• un·purposed adjective
• un·purpos·ing 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.

More idioms and phrases containing 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

Half-way through the meeting, several senior climate leaders wrote a public letter saying COP was not fit for purpose and calling for reform.

From BBC

How will I know the cost basis for capital gains purposes when I sell the stocks?

From Los Angeles Times

Slaves wouldn’t be allowed to vote, but they could count as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of apportioning members of the House of Representatives based on population.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Department of Education’s sole purpose is to protect equal learning opportunities for all students, and the head of it must be focused on that.”

From Salon

Whether steering a ship for commercial trade or finding the direction of Mecca for purposes of prayer, an astrolabe harnessed light to manage desires around science and myth.

From Los Angeles Times