purpose Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · quotesQuotes · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: idiomsAH Idiom Dictionary
purpose definition

pur·pose (pʉr′pəs)

transitive verb, intransitive verb purposed -·posed, purposing -·pos·ing

to intend, resolve, or plan

Etymology: ME purposen < OFr porposer, var. of proposer: see propose

noun

  1. something one intends to get or do; intention; aim
  2. resolution; determination
  3. the object for which something exists or is done; end in view

Etymology: ME < OFr porpos

purpose Idioms

of set purpose

  1. with a specific end in view
  2. not accidentally; by design

on purpose

by design; intentionally

to good purpose

with a good result or effect; advantageously

to little purpose

or to no purpose
with little (or no) result or effect; pointlessly

to the purpose

relevant; pertinent

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms purpose idiom

purpose Synonyms

purpose

n.

  1. Aim

    intention, end, goal, mission, objective, object, idea, design, hope, resolve, meaning, view, scope, desire, dream, expectation, ambition, intent, destination, direction, scheme, prospect, proposal, target, aspiration; see also plan 2.

  2. Resolution

    tenacity, constancy, persistence; see confidence 2, determination 2, faith 1.

purpose connotes a defined or specific resolution or determination in the plan had in mind I have a purpose in writing you; intention is the general word implying a having something in mind as a plan or design, or referring to the plan had in mind; intent, a somewhat formal term common in legal usage, connotes more deliberation assault with intent to kill; aim refers to a specific intention and connotes a directing of all efforts toward this his aim is to become a doctor; goal suggests laborious effort in striving to attain something the presidency was the goal of his ambition; end emphasizes the final result one hopes to achieve as distinct from the process of achieving it does a desirable end ever justify the use of immoral means?; object is used of an end that is the direct result of a need or desire the object of the discussion was to arouse controversy; objective refers to a specific end that is capable of being reached her immediate objective is to pass the course

on purpose

purposefully, intentionally, designedly; see deliberately.

to good purpose

profitably, usefully, advantageously; see helpfully.

to little (<strong><em>or</em> </strong>no) purpose

profitlessly, uselessly, worthlessly; see unnecessarily.

to the purpose

to the point, pertinent, apt; see relevant.


purpose

v.

intend, aim, plan, propose; see intend 1. See syn. study at intend.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

purpose Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • regulation: The purpose of these regulations is to improve staff health and safety.

Converse of object

  • serve: I am sure these gates served that purpose well.

Adjective modifier

  • charitable: It should not interfere with the use of the premises for the stated charitable purpose.

Noun used with modifier

  • tax: A corporation is a separate entity for tax purposes.
purpose usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

purpose quotes

Nature, as we say, does nothing without some purpose; and for thepurpose of making mana political animal she has endowed him alone among the animals with the power of reasoned speech.

-Aristotle

And we know that all things work together for good to 120 them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

-Bible (NewTestament)

Talk, v.t. To commit an indiscretion without temptation, from an impulse without purpose.

-Bierce, Ambrose Gwinett

purpose quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"purpose." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/purpose>

APA Style

purpose. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/purpose

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment