Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
purpose

pur·pose

purpose

 
 
pronunciation:
puhr ps
parts of speech:
noun, transitive verb, intransitive verb
phrases:
on purpose
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a reason or plan guiding an action; motive or intention.
He joined a fitness center for the purpose of losing weight.Her main purpose in writing the book was to educate people about this tragic disease.May I ask the purpose of your visit?
synonyms:
aim, design, end, goal, intention, motive, objective, rationale
similar words:
ambition, aspiration, direction, effect, intent, mission, object, plan, point, purport, reason, sake, sense, spirit, target, why
definition 2: determination or resolve.
He practices violin with a great sense of purpose.
synonyms:
determination, resolution, resolve
similar words:
constancy, decision, diligence, motivation, perseverance, persistence, will
definition 3: the reason for which something exists.
The purpose of this meeting is to evaluate the new sales strategy.This is a beautiful object, but I don't understand its purpose.
synonyms:
design, function, object
similar words:
aim, application, destination, intention, point, raison d'être, rationale, reason, role, use, why
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: on purpose
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: purposes, purposing, purposed
definition 1: to set as an aim; intend.
He purposed to find a rich woman and marry her.
synonyms:
intend, mean
similar words:
aim, aspire to, design, plan, propose, purport, scheme
definition 2: to determine or resolve (usu. fol. by an infinitive).
The British purposed to retake the fort no matter what the cost.
synonyms:
determine, resolve
similar words:
decide, intend, mean, vow
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to have a purpose.
synonyms:
intend, mean
similar words:
determine, plan
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
Word Explorer
See
  action
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature