for

1 of 5

preposition

fər,

(ˈ)fȯr 

 Southern also  (ˈ)fär

1

a

—used as a function word to indicate purpose

a grant for studying medicine

b

—used as a function word to indicate an intended goal

left for home

acted for the best

c

—used as a function word to indicate the object or recipient of a perception, desire, or activity

now for a good rest

run for your life

an eye for a bargain

2

a

: as being or constituting

taken for a fool

eggs for breakfast

b

—used as a function word to indicate an actual or implied enumeration or selection

for one thing, the price is too high

3

: because of

can't sleep for the heat

4

—used as a function word to indicate suitability or fitness

it is not for you to choose

ready for action

5

a

: in place of

go to the store for me

b(1)

: on behalf of : representing

speaks for the court

(2)

: in favor of

all for the plan

6

: in spite of

—usually used with all

for all his large size, he moves gracefully

7

: with respect to : concerning

a stickler for detail

heavy for its size

8

a

—used as a function word to indicate equivalence in exchange

$10 for a hat

, equality in number or quantity

point for point

, or correspondence or correlation

for every one that works, you'll find five that don't

b

—used as a function word to indicate number of attempts

0 for 4

9

—used as a function word to indicate duration of time or extent of space

gone for two days

10

: in honor of : after

named for her grandmother

for

2 of 5

conjunction

: for the reason that : on this ground : because

for

3 of 5

abbreviation (1)

1

foreign

2

forestry

FOR

4 of 5

abbreviation (2)

free on rail

for-

5 of 5

prefix

1

: so as to involve prohibition, exclusion, omission, failure, neglect, or refusal

forbid

2

: destructively or detrimentally

fordo

3

: completely : excessively : to exhaustion : to pieces

forspent

Synonyms

Conjunction

• because
• seeing
• now
• since

Examples of for in a Sentence

Conjunction

the bill should be listed as paid, for I mailed it in on time

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

Join two mayors for a conversation on how cities can take a comprehensive approach in underinvested communities. —Essence, 7 July 2025

The suggestion is also to have a floor so there’s a point at which the earnout is not paid if the metric is for example, below a certain percentage. —Richard Parker, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

After graduating from Indiana University Bloomington with a telecommunications degree, Singh worked in advertising for several years before pursuing his acting ambitions. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 July 2025

Immigrant advocates have challenged nearly all of those activities in court, but often have to wait days or weeks for relief. —Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Preposition and Conjunction

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Latin per through, prae before, pro before, for, ahead, Greek pro, Sanskrit pra before, in front, Old English faran to go — more at fare

Prefix

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German far- for-, Old English for

First Known Use

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Conjunction

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for for

• boar
• boer
• bore
• chore
• cor
• core
• corps
• crore
• door
• drawer
• floor
• flor

Kids Definition

for

1 of 2 preposition

fər 

(ˈ)fȯ(ə)r

1

—used to indicate a purpose

money for lunch

, an intended goal

left for work

, or an object of one's desire

now for a good rest

2

: as being

do you take me for a fool

eggs for breakfast

3

: because of

cried for joy

4

a

: in support of

fighting for their country

b

—used to indicate suitability or fitness

it's not for me to say

medicine for an illness

c

: so as to bring about a certain state

shouted the news for all to hear

5

a

: in place of

go to the store for me

b

: as the equal or equivalent of in an exchange or loan

paid $10 for a hat

6

: in spite of

unconvinced for all the clever arguments

7

: with respect to : concerning

had an eye for news

8

—used to indicate equality or proportion

point for point

tall for your age

9

—used to indicate length of time or extent of space

waited for several hours

10

: after entry 2 sense 3a

named for my grandmother

for

2 of 2 conjunction

: for the reason that : on this ground : because

they were certainly there, for I saw them

Legal Definition

for

preposition

1

: because of

a statute void for vagueness

2

: on behalf of : as the representative of

attorney general's office for petitioner