Purpose Definition

pûrpəs
purposed, purposes, purposing
noun
purposes
Something one intends to get or do; intention; aim.
Webster's New World
Resolution; determination.
Webster's New World
The object for which something exists or is done; end in view.
Webster's New World

A result that is desired; an intention.

Wiktionary

The subject of discourse; the point at issue.

Wiktionary
verb
purposed, purposes, purposing
To intend, resolve, or plan.
Webster's New World
idiom
on purpose
  • Intentionally; deliberately.
American Heritage
to good purpose
  • With good results.
American Heritage
to little
  • With few or no results.
American Heritage
of set purpose
  • with a specific end in view
  • not accidentally; by design
Webster's New World
on purpose
  • by design; intentionally
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Purpose

Noun

Singular:
purpose
Plural:
purposes

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Purpose

  • on purpose
  • to good purpose
  • to little
  • of set purpose
  • on purpose
  • to good purpose
  • to little (or no) purpose
  • to the purpose

Origin of Purpose

  • Middle English purpos from Anglo-Norman from purposer to intend pur- forth (from Latin prō- pro–1) poser to put pose1

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English purpos, from Old French purposer (“to propose"), from Latin prō (“forth") + pausāre, present active infinitive of pausō (“halt, cease, pause").

    From Wiktionary

  • From Middle English purposen, from Old French purposer (“to propose")

    From Wiktionary

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