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purpose
[ pur-puhs ]
noun
- the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
- 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)
- to have a purpose.
purpose
/ ˈpɜːpəs /
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
- on purposeintentionally
verb
- to intend or determine to do (something)
Other Words From
- pre·purpose verb (used with object) prepurposed prepurposing
- re·purpose verb (used with object) repurposed repurposing
- un·purposed adjective
- un·purpos·ing adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of purpose1
Idioms and Phrases
- 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.
More idioms and phrases containing purpose
see at cross purposes ; for all intents and purposes ; on purpose ; serve a purpose ; to good purpose ; to little or no purpose .Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Phil production, is here a creepy hotel manager with little sense of purpose.
Sturgeon recently announced on behalf of them both that their marriage had ended and that, to all intents and purposes, they had been separated for some time.
Removing a person’s daily routine as well as their sense of purpose and identity can seriously undermine their sense of self.
The Amazon plays a vital role in absorbing carbon for the world and providing biodiversity, and many say this deforestation contradicts the very purpose of a climate summit.
When I was first invited to provide a victim impact statement, I initially misunderstood its purpose.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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