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purpose

[pur-puhs]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR purpose ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object), pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.

verb (used without object), pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.

to have a purpose.

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.

Origin of purpose

1250–1300; (noun) Middle English purpos < Old French, derivative of purposer, variant of proposer to propose; (v.) Middle English purposen < Anglo-French, Old French purposer
Related formspre·pur·pose, verb (used with object), pre·pur·posed, pre·pur·pos·ing.re·pur·pose, verb (used with object), re·pur·posed, re·pur·pos·ing.un·pur·posed, adjectiveun·pur·pos·ing, adjective

Synonyms for purpose

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR purpose ON THESAURUS.COM
1. object, point, rationale. See intention. 7. mean, contemplate, plan.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for repurpose

reuse, recycle, reprocess, remodel, recover, save, regenerate

Examples from the Web for repurpose

Contemporary Examples of repurpose

British Dictionary definitions for repurpose

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; determinationa man of purpose
practical advantage or useto work to good purpose
that which is relevant or under consideration (esp in the phrase to or from the purpose)
archaic purport
on purpose intentionally

verb (tr)

to intend or determine to do (something)

Word Origin for purpose

C13: from Old French porpos, from porposer to plan, from Latin prōpōnere to propose
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for repurpose
v.

by 1983, from re- + purpose (v.). Related: Repurposed; repurposing.

purpose

n.

c.1300, "intention, aim, goal," from Anglo-French purpos, Old French porpos "aim, intention" (12c.), from porposer "to put forth," from por- "forth" (from Latin pro- "forth;" see pur-) + Old French poser "to put, place" (see pose (v.1)). On purpose "by design" is attested from 1580s; earlier of purpose (early 15c.).

purpose

v.

late 14c., from Anglo-French purposer "to design," Old French porposer "to intend, propose," variant of proposer (see propose).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with repurpose

purpose

see at cross purposes; for all intents and purposes; on purpose; serve a purpose; to good purpose; to little or no purpose.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.