serve a purpose

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

serve a purpose

That’s OK if they all serve a purpose.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 2, 2025

And while old records can't yet be recycled into new ones, that doesn't mean they can't serve a purpose once we're done with them.

From BBC ● May 17, 2024

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

“All creatures serve a purpose in the web of life. Every species contributes to the stability of an ecosystem,” Reading says.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 29, 2023

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

From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead