purpose
Americannoun
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purposes
plural
-
the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
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determination; resoluteness.
-
the subject in hand; the point at issue.
-
practical result, effect, or advantage.
to act to good purpose.
verb (used with object)
-
to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.
-
to intend; design.
- Synonyms:
- plan, contemplate, mean
-
to resolve (to do something).
He purposed to change his way of life radically.
verb (used without object)
idioms
-
on purpose, by design; intentionally.
How could you do such a thing on purpose?
-
to the purpose, relevant; to the point.
Her objections were not to the purpose.
noun
-
the reason for which anything is done, created, or exists
-
a fixed design, outcome, or idea that is the object of an action or other effort
-
fixed intention in doing something; determination
a man of purpose
-
practical advantage or use
to work to good purpose
-
that which is relevant or under consideration (esp in the phrase to or from the purpose )
-
archaic purport
-
intentionally
verb
Synonym Usage
See intention.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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prepurposeverb (used with object)
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repurposeverb (used with object)
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unpurposedadjective
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unpurposingadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing purpose
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The purpose of the project, as is Alexander’s work as a poet and scholar, is to create a more complete picture of our country.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Their purpose is to hash out guidelines for areas including energy and infrastructure, water and natural resources, community engagement, economic and community value, transparency and accountability, and implementation.
From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026
She says the very purpose of the charities is to provide support, equipment and services that are additional to what the NHS provides.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
The sole purpose of fashion, one could argue, is to impose social conformity.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026
Flotsam means the leftover bits and pieces of a shipwreck, while jetsam means items thrown overboard on purpose.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
She said the documents would be reviewed and in some instances may need to be redacted "for the purposes of avoiding prejudice to national security or international relations".
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
The ability to precisely modify metal centers could eventually lead to advanced glass components designed for specific technological purposes.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
Proceeds from the euro bond sale will be used for general corporate purposes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Over time, the table served purposes well beyond playing pool.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026
It demands first of all the ability to think of sticks or stones as “fruit knockers” or “bone crackers,” not only when they are needed for such purposes but at other times as well.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
QCi said Monday that the foundry, “currently purposed for research and development and prototyping,” had begun to generate early revenue, though contributions weren’t broken out in the report.
From Barron's ● May 11, 2026
If the purposed minimum pay rate does go through, it'll be the first of its kind nationwide.
From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2023
“I stood next to the job for four years. I purposed to be ready every day for four years,” Pence said.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 30, 2023
“There are no awards. There are no winners or losers tonight. It’s just our passion that makes our heart beat faster. It makes our life so much more greatly purposed with joy and fulfillment.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 5, 2023
I do not know how, purposed with so high & noble Aims, we end thus in Ruin.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
As ProPublica detailed in 2016, several state court systems have adopted a proprietary software that purports to put a probability on recidivism for sentencing purposing.
From Slate ● Apr. 8, 2021
I read with my watch upon the table, purposing to close my book at eleven o’clock.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
He has a line over the side, but seems to be heading out to sea, as though purposing to cross the ocean itself.
From The Red Derelict by Bertram Mitford
He was of stronger build than his master, and at once grabbed Thomas by the collar, purposing to turn him out.
From The Life of Thomas Wanless, Peasant by Alexander Johnstone Wilson
We approached it very closely, purposing to report ourselves there, but not to anchor.
From The Log of a Sea-Waif Being Recollections of the First Four Years of My Sea Life by Frank T. Bullen
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
