purpose
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pur·pose
(pûr′pəs)n.
1. The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or goal: Her purpose in coming here is to talk to you. The purpose of an airliner is to transport people. See Synonyms at intention.
2. Determination; resolution: He was a man of purpose.
tr.v. pur·posed, pur·pos·ing, pur·pos·es
Idioms: To intend or resolve: "the gap between what is said and what is purposed" (Ian Donaldson).
on purpose
Intentionally; deliberately.
to good purpose
With good results.
to little/no purpose
With few or no results.
[Middle English purpos, from Anglo-Norman, from purposer, to intend : pur-, forth (from Latin prō-; see pro-1) + poser, to put; see pose1.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
purpose
(ˈpɜːpəs)n
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
vb (tr)
to intend or determine to do (something)
[C13: from Old French porpos, from porposer to plan, from Latin prōpōnere to propose]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
pur•pose
(ˈpɜr pəs)n., v. -posed, -pos•ing. n.
1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, etc.
2. an intended or desired result; aim; goal.
3. determination; resoluteness.
4. the subject in hand; point at issue.
5. practical result or effect: to act to good purpose.
v.t. 6. to intend; design; resolve.
v.i. 7. to have a purpose.
Idioms: 1. on purpose, intentionally.
2. to the purpose, to the point; relevant.
[1250–1300; (n.) Middle English purpos < Old French, derivative of purposer, variant of proposer to propose; (v.) Middle English purposen < Anglo-French, Old French purposer]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
purpose
Past participle: purposed
Gerund: purposing
| Imperative |
|---|
| purpose |
| purpose |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  purpose - an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions; "his intent was to provide a new translation"; "good intentions are not enough"; "it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs"; "he made no secret of his designs"goal, end - the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it; "the ends justify the means" idea, mind - your intention; what you intend to do; "he had in mind to see his old teacher"; "the idea of the game is to capture all the pieces" cross-purpose - a contrary aim; "at cross-purposes" final cause - (philosophy) the end or purpose of a thing or process sake - the purpose of achieving or obtaining; "for the sake of argument" view - purpose; the phrase `with a view to' means `with the intention of' or `for the purpose of'; "he took the computer with a view to pawning it" will - a fixed and persistent intent or purpose; "where there's a will there's a way" |
| 2. |  purpose - what something is used for; "the function of an auger is to bore holes"; "ballet is beautiful but what use is it?"usefulness, utility - the quality of being of practical use raison d'etre - the purpose that justifies a thing's existence | |
| 3. | purpose - the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose; "his determination showed in his every movement"; "he is a man of purpose" firmness of purpose, resoluteness, resolve, firmness, resolution - the trait of being resolute; "his resoluteness carried him through the battle"; "it was his unshakeable resolution to finish the work" persistency, pertinacity, tenaciousness, tenacity, doggedness, perseverance, persistence - persistent determination industriousness, diligence, industry - persevering determination to perform a task; "his diligence won him quick promotions"; "frugality and industry are still regarded as virtues" | |
| Verb | 1. | purpose - propose or intend; "I aim to arrive at noon" |
| 2. | purpose - reach a decision; "he resolved never to drink again" decide, make up one's mind, determine - reach, make, or come to a decision about something; "We finally decided after lengthy deliberations" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
purpose
noun
1. reason, point, idea, goal, grounds, design, aim, basis, principle, function, object, intention, objective, motive, motivation, justification, impetus, the why and wherefore The purpose of the occasion was to raise money for charity.
2. aim, end, plan, hope, view, goal, design, project, target, wish, scheme, desire, object, intention, objective, ambition, aspiration, Holy Grail (informal) They are prepared to go to any lengths to achieve their purpose.
3. determination, commitment, resolve, will, resolution, initiative, enterprise, ambition, conviction, motivation, persistence, tenacity, firmness, constancy, single-mindedness, steadfastness The teachers are enthusiastic and have a sense of purpose.
4. use, good, return, result, effect, value, benefit, profit, worth, gain, advantage, outcome, utility, merit, mileage (informal), avail, behoof (archaic) Talking about it will serve no purpose.
on purpose deliberately, purposely, consciously, intentionally, knowingly, wilfully, by design, wittingly, calculatedly, designedly Was it an accident, or did she do it on purpose?
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
purpose
noun2. What one intends to do or achieve:
aim, ambition, design, end, goal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, point, target, view, why.
Idioms: end in view, why and wherefore.
3. Unwavering firmness of character, action, or will:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
عَزْم، تَصْميمغَرَضقَصْد، هَدَفوَظيفَة، غَرَض
účelfunkcerozhodnostsmysl
formålgrundintentionmålmening
tarkoitus
svrha
szándék
hlutverkstefnufesta, ákveînitilgangur
目的
목적
paskirtisspecialiai pastatytas
mērķismērķtiecībanolūkspielietojums
scop
účel
namennamenoma
syfte
วัตถุประสงค์
mục đích
purpose
[ˈpɜːpəs]A. N
1. (= intention) → propósito m, objetivo m
we all shared a common purpose → todos teníamos el mismo propósito or objetivo
she has a purpose in life → tiene un objetivo or una meta or un norte en la vida
what was your purpose in going? → ¿con qué intención fuiste?
"purpose of visit" (on official form) → motivo m del viaje
I put that there for a purpose → he puesto eso ahí a propósito or por una razón
this is good enough for our purposes → esto sirve para nuestros fines
he exploited her talent for his own purposes → explotó su talento en beneficio propio
for all practical purposes → en la práctica
for the purposes of this meeting → para los fines de esta reunión
for the purpose of doing sth → con el fin de hacer algo
on purpose → a propósito, adrede
with the purpose of → con el fin de
see also intent B
we all shared a common purpose → todos teníamos el mismo propósito or objetivo
she has a purpose in life → tiene un objetivo or una meta or un norte en la vida
what was your purpose in going? → ¿con qué intención fuiste?
"purpose of visit" (on official form) → motivo m del viaje
I put that there for a purpose → he puesto eso ahí a propósito or por una razón
this is good enough for our purposes → esto sirve para nuestros fines
he exploited her talent for his own purposes → explotó su talento en beneficio propio
for all practical purposes → en la práctica
for the purposes of this meeting → para los fines de esta reunión
for the purpose of doing sth → con el fin de hacer algo
on purpose → a propósito, adrede
with the purpose of → con el fin de
see also intent B
2. (= use) → uso m, utilidad f
what is the purpose of this tool? → ¿qué uso or utilidad tiene esta herramienta?
it wasn't designed for this purpose → no se diseñó para este fin or uso
to good purpose → provechosamente
it was all to no purpose → todo fue inútil or en vano
you can adapt it to your own purposes → lo puede adaptar a sus necesidades
it serves no useful purpose → no tiene uso práctico, no tiene utilidad práctica
see also serve A2
what is the purpose of this tool? → ¿qué uso or utilidad tiene esta herramienta?
it wasn't designed for this purpose → no se diseñó para este fin or uso
to good purpose → provechosamente
it was all to no purpose → todo fue inútil or en vano
you can adapt it to your own purposes → lo puede adaptar a sus necesidades
it serves no useful purpose → no tiene uso práctico, no tiene utilidad práctica
see also serve A2
3. (= determination) → resolución f, determinación f
to have a sense of purpose → tener un rumbo en la vida
he has no sense of purpose → no tiene rumbo en la vida
she has great strength of purpose → tiene muchísima resolución or determinación, es muy resuelta
see also infirm
to have a sense of purpose → tener un rumbo en la vida
he has no sense of purpose → no tiene rumbo en la vida
she has great strength of purpose → tiene muchísima resolución or determinación, es muy resuelta
see also infirm
B. VT (o.f.) to purpose doing sth/to do sth → proponerse or planear hacer algo
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
purpose
[ˈpɜːrpəs] n (= aim) → but m
What is the purpose of these changes? → Quel est le but de ces changements?
his purpose in life → son but dans la vie
for this purpose → à cette intention
We only went there for that purpose → Nous n'y sommes allés qu'à cette intention.
It's not meant for that purpose
BUT Ce n'est pas fait pour ça.
for medicinal purposes → dans un but médicinal
for military purposes → dans un but militaire
for propaganda purposes → dans un but de propagande
for illustrative purposes → à titre d'illustration
for teaching purposes → dans un but pédagogique
for the purposes of this meeting → pour les besoins de cette réunion
to no purpose → en pure perte
to all intents and purposes, for all practical purposes (= in effect) → pour ainsi dire
What is the purpose of these changes? → Quel est le but de ces changements?
his purpose in life → son but dans la vie
for this purpose → à cette intention
We only went there for that purpose → Nous n'y sommes allés qu'à cette intention.
It's not meant for that purpose
BUT Ce n'est pas fait pour ça.
for medicinal purposes → dans un but médicinal
for military purposes → dans un but militaire
for propaganda purposes → dans un but de propagande
for illustrative purposes → à titre d'illustration
for teaching purposes → dans un but pédagogique
for the purposes of this meeting → pour les besoins de cette réunion
to no purpose → en pure perte
to all intents and purposes, for all practical purposes (= in effect) → pour ainsi dire
(= direction, determination) (in life) a sense of purpose → une motivationpurpose-built [ˌpɜːrpəsˈbɪlt] adj → spécialement construit(e), ad hoc
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
purpose
n
(= intention) → Absicht f; (= result aimed at, set goal) → Zweck m; on purpose → mit Absicht, absichtlich; what was your purpose in doing this? → was haben Sie damit beabsichtigt?, was war Ihre Absicht dabei?; he did it for or with the purpose of improving his image → er tat es in der Absicht or mit dem Ziel, sein Image zu verbessern; he’s a man with a purpose in life → er ist ein Mensch mit einem Lebensziel; a novel with a purpose → ein Roman, der einen Zweck erfüllen soll; to answer or serve somebody’s purpose(s) → jds Zweck(en) entsprechen or dienen; his activities seem to lack purpose → seine Aktivitäten scheinen nicht zweckgerichtet zu sein; for our purposes → für unsere Zwecke; for the purposes of this meeting → zum Zweck dieser Konferenz; for all practical purposes → in der Praxis; to the purpose → relevant; to some/good/little purpose → mit einigem/gutem/wenig Erfolg; to no purpose → ohne Erfolg
no pl (= resolution, determination) → Entschlossenheit f; strength of purpose → Entschlusskraft f, → Entschlossenheit f; sense of purpose → Zielbewusstsein nt; (of nation) → Ziel nt, → Zielvorstellungen pl; to have a sense of purpose → zielbewusst sein; to have no sense of purpose → kein Zielbewusstsein or kein Ziel haben
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
purpose
[ˈpɜːpəs] na. (intention) → scopo, intenzione f; (use) → uso
she has a purpose in life → ha uno scopo nella vita
for our purposes → per i nostri scopi
for teaching purposes → per l'insegnamento
for the purposes of this meeting → agli effetti di questa riunione
for all practical purposes → a tutti gli effetti pratici, in pratica
on purpose → di proposito, apposta
for illustrative purposes → a titolo illustrativo
to the purpose → a proposito, pertinente
with the purpose of → con il proposito di
to some purpose → con qualche risultato
to no purpose → senza nessun risultato, inutilmente
to good purpose → con buoni risultati
she has a purpose in life → ha uno scopo nella vita
for our purposes → per i nostri scopi
for teaching purposes → per l'insegnamento
for the purposes of this meeting → agli effetti di questa riunione
for all practical purposes → a tutti gli effetti pratici, in pratica
on purpose → di proposito, apposta
for illustrative purposes → a titolo illustrativo
to the purpose → a proposito, pertinente
with the purpose of → con il proposito di
to some purpose → con qualche risultato
to no purpose → senza nessun risultato, inutilmente
to good purpose → con buoni risultati
b. (resolution, determination) sense of purpose → risolutezza
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
purpose
(ˈpəːpəs) noun1. the reason for doing something; the aim to which an action etc is directed. What is the purpose of your visit?
2. the use or function of an object. The purpose of this lever is to stop the machine in an emergency.
3. determination. a man of purpose.
purposeful adjective having a definite purpose. with a purposeful look on his face.
ˈpurposefully adverbˈpurposeless adjective
having no purpose. purposeless destruction.
ˈpurposely adverb intentionally. He did it purposely to attract my attention.
ˌpurpose-ˈbuilt adjective made or built for a particular need or purpose. People who use wheelchairs sometimes live in purpose-built houses.
on purpose intentionally. Did you break the cup on purpose?
serve a purpose to be useful in some way.
to no purpose with no useful results.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
purpose
→ غَرَض účel formål Zweck σκοπός propósito tarkoitus but svrha scopo 目的 목적 doel formål cel propósito цель syfte วัตถุประสงค์ amaç mục đích 目的Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
purpose
n. propósito, intención.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012