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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
"Top EU officials were informed about my journey and its purpose... on Friday," Fico wrote on Facebook.
“He is trying to elevate himself for his own political purposes and at the expense of Californians,” he said.
There is also a renewed sense of purpose with Trumpov returning to the White House and California poised to emerge, once more, at the vanguard of the political opposition, with Newsom in the lead.
On the other, xenophobic politicians whip up fear and mistrust of workers on the lowest economic rungs when it serves their purposes.
"It's given me a purpose to get up in the morning and do something."
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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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