51Թ

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View synonyms for

purpose

[ pur-puhs ]

noun

  1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
  3. determination; resoluteness.
  4. the subject in hand; the point at issue.
  5. practical result, effect, or advantage:

    to act to good purpose.



verb (used with object)

purposed, purposing.
  1. to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.
  2. to intend; design.

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. to resolve (to do something):

    He purposed to change his way of life radically.

verb (used without object)

purposed, purposing.
  1. to have a purpose.

purpose

/ ˈɜːə /

noun

  1. the reason for which anything is done, created, or exists
  2. a fixed design, outcome, or idea that is the object of an action or other effort
  3. fixed intention in doing something; determination

    a man of purpose

  4. practical advantage or use

    to work to good purpose

  5. that which is relevant or under consideration (esp in the phrase to or from the purpose )
  6. archaic.
    purport
  7. on purpose
    intentionally
“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

verb

  1. to intend or determine to do (something)
“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
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ·ܰpDz verb (used with object) prepurposed prepurposing
  • ·ܰpDz verb (used with object) repurposed repurposing
  • ܲ·ܰpDz adjective
  • ܲ·ܰpDz·Բ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of purpose1

First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English purpos, from Old French, derivative of purposer, variant of proposer “t propose ”; (verb) Middle English purposen, from Anglo-French, Old French purposer
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of purpose1

C13: from Old French porpos, from porposer to plan, from Latin ōōԱ to propose
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Idioms and Phrases

  1. on purpose, by design; intentionally:

    How could you do such a thing on purpose?

  2. 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 .
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“We also determined that working with the Police Foundation was the most effective and efficient way to secure donations from our residents that could be earmarked for this purpose.”

From

"They formed part of a network of older local men, who actively targeted young, vulnerable, local women for the purpose of sexual exploitation," she said.

From

And if Beijing believes that is indeed the primary purpose of the tariffs, it may decide there is nothing to negotiate anyway.

From

Earlier this year, Bonta’s office told news outlet CalMatters that it’s an ongoing investigation and the department “is committed to protecting charitable assets for their intended purpose and takes this responsibility seriously.”

From

Thibou denied that he stabbed Ms Maximen on purpose or that he intended to kill her or cause her serious bodily harm.

From

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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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