purposely
Americanadverb
-
intentionally; deliberately.
He tripped me purposely.
-
with the particular purpose specified; expressly.
I wore that suit purposely to make a good impression.
adverb
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of purposely
Compare meaning
How does purposely compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
"And I am purposely trying to put songs down for that very purpose, to have a click track and my vocals to where any, any arrangement can be done," Parton added.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
In 2020, the lab embarked on training a chatbot dubbed “Gopher,” purposely keeping the project secret from Google Brain.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026
Her outfits are purposely bold, allowing her to "break the ice" with stars.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
When a pitcher purposely throws high and inside, the batter has four choices.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Plus, some parents grew angry when the Hitler Youth purposely disrupted Sunday services by playing their trumpets loudly outside the church.
From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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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.
