purpose

pur-pose · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The reason for which something is done or created.

  2. 2.

    A person's sense of resolve or determination.

  3. 3.

    The feeling of having a meaningful goal in life.

  4. 4.

    (Formal) Have as one's intention or objective.

Forms

plural: purposes

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    on purpose — Intentionally; deliberately.
  • •
    for the purpose of — In order to.
  • •
    serve a purpose — Be useful.
  • •
    to no purpose — Without any useful result.
  • •
    for all practical purposes — In effect; virtually.
  • •
    sense of purpose — A feeling that one's life has meaning.
  • •
    purpose-built — Made for a specific function.

Related words

See also: aim, goal, intention, meaning
Synonyms: aim, goal, intention, objective

Etymology

From Old French porpos ("aim, intention"), from porposer ("to intend"), from Latin pro ("forth") + ponere ("to place").