serve a purpose

Idioms

Also,. Be useful, meet the needs or requirements, satisfy, as in I don't know why they've added all this information but it probably serves a purpose, or It often serves his purpose to be vague, or We don't have a spading fork but this shovel should serve the purpose. This idiom was first recorded in 1513.

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.

She says they're not the tastiest - but they serve a purpose.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

If the new guidelines were implemented, Furay estimated that the department would destroy about 11.8 million body-worn videos that no longer serve a purpose.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

That’s OK if they all serve a purpose.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 2, 2025

So in shopping for needs, we want to think about things the young people can get excited about and serve a purpose – for instance, a shiny new bike.

From Salon • Dec. 22, 2023

“Ask yourself: Does that b serve a purpose? Why is it even there?”

From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023