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:
Rather than producing wings perfectly suited to one purpose, evolution can favor designs that balance several competing needs.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
One campaign group has welcomed the recognition that vaccine injury and bereavement is real and that the current scheme is not fit for purpose.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Raman said she had used the phrase “gold standard” to describe Special Order 40, which was issued by Gates in 1979, prohibiting officers from stopping people for the sole purpose of determining their immigration status.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
The creators and owners of AI might be pressed to answer the question: Exactly what purpose were you pursuing, and how, with a sense of the downsides, did you expect us to like it?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
In a $600 million fund that was meant to be picking stocks, his bet was already gargantuan; but if he could raise the money explicitly for this new purpose, he could do many billions more.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
But open-weight models like those released by Chinese companies can be more easily altered and optimized by users for nefarious purposes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law strengthening California’s protections against civil arrests for people traveling to, attending or leaving courthouses for lawful purposes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
There's widespread support for the core purposes of the curriculum which aim to create well-rounded young people with the skills to contribute to the economy and to society.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
The researchers believe the technology could eventually serve several purposes, with satellites and space exploration among the most promising possibilities.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2026
For all practical purposes, he would never be able to vote again.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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
“There are no awards. There are no winners or losers tonight. It’s just our passion that makes our heartbeat faster. It makes our life so much more greatly purposed with joy and fulfillment.”
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 5, 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
I kept them, purposing to see what would emerge, but nothing has rewarded my watch, and they seem now to be shrivelling up.
From Eye Spy Afield with Nature Among Flowers and Animate Things by W. Hamilton (William Hamilton) Gibson
Having satisfied ourselves with the peninsula of Gower, we entered upon a zigzag excursion, round the coast of South-Wales, to its northern boundary, purposing to return to Swansea by a midland route.
From A Tour throughout South Wales and Monmouthshire by J. T. Barber
In the Duke's letter of the 27th of Sept. he thanks me for my letters of the 24th and one concluded on Wednesday afternoon, purposing to call if in his power.
From The Letters of the Duke of Wellington to Miss J. 1834-1851 Edited by Extracts from the Diary of the Latter by Duke of Wellington
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