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

Patel has often railed against the so-called “deep state”, which some Americans believe is an unelected bureaucratic machine that secretly runs the country for sinister purposes.

From BBC

A parliamentary report has described this funding system as “not fit for purpose”.

From BBC

The most critics can really claim is that she didn’t do so on purpose.

From Salon

"The traditional methods may work well for some purposes, but they are difficult to operate and quite expensive," explains Kaori Kohzuma, "In order to continuously monitor small changes, we needed a new solution."

From Science Daily

“China always firmly opposes U.S. suppression and persecution of Chinese nationals out of political purposes, and we will continue taking necessary measures to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times