purpose

1 of 2

noun

pur·​pose ˈpər-pəs 

1

a

: something set up as an object or end to be attained : intention

b

: resolution, determination

2

: a subject under discussion or an action in course of execution

purpose

2 of 2

verb

purposed; purposing

transitive verb

: to propose as an aim to oneself

Phrases

on purpose

: by intent : intentionally

Synonyms

Noun

• goal
• aim
• intention
• plan
• intent
• objective
• idea
• object
• thing
• ambition

Verb

• plan
• intend
• aim
• hope
• mean
• contemplate

Choose the Right Synonym for purpose

intention, intent, purpose, design, aim, end, object, objective, goal mean what one intends to accomplish or attain.

intention implies little more than what one has in mind to do or bring about.

announced his intention to marry

intent suggests clearer formulation or greater deliberateness.

the clear intent of the statute

purpose suggests a more settled determination.

being successful was her purpose in life

design implies a more carefully calculated plan.

the order of events came by accident, not design

aim adds to these implications of effort directed toward attaining or accomplishing.

her aim was to raise film to an art form

end stresses the intended effect of action often in distinction or contrast to the action or means as such.

willing to use any means to achieve his end

object may equal end but more often applies to a more individually determined wish or need.

his constant object was the achievement of pleasure

objective implies something tangible and immediately attainable.

their objective is to seize the oil fields

goal suggests something attained only by prolonged effort and hardship.

worked years to reach her goals

Examples of purpose in a Sentence

Noun

Shocking as it is, more than a month after the hurricane hit, New Orleans is still, for all practical purposes, a ghost town. —Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005

By the time … American aid began pouring in, to all intents and purposes the war had already been lost. —Neil L. Jamieson, Understanding Vietnam, 1993

But wartime wage and price controls prevented companies from competing for the available talent by means of increased salaries. They had to compete with fringe benefits instead, and free health insurance was tailor-made for this purpose. —John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, May - June 1992

His purpose is to realize himself, to live the fullest possible life, and he is responsible for this, like all men, regardless of how society treats him. —Shelby Steele, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 1990

The purpose of the new resort is to attract more tourists.

The loans are small but they serve a good purpose.

Sometimes his life seemed to lack purpose or meaning.

We started work again with a renewed sense of purpose.

Verb

I have not purposed to misrepresent this boy in any way, for what little indignation he excited in me soon passed and left nothing behind it but compassion. —Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880

The child then explained that they had left the races on the first day, and were travelling to the next town on that road, where they purposed to spend the night. —Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop, 1841

I've been purposing to fix that thing for some time now.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His legacy continues to inspire others to lead with kindness, purpose, and authenticity. —Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025

For more than five hundred years, scientists had been unable to figure out the purpose of the narwhal’s tusk— a single tooth that can be up to nine feet long. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. —Ethan Stone, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

Thank you all for filling my days with laughter, brilliance and purpose. —William Earl, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English purpos, from Anglo-French, from purposer to intend, propose, from Latin proponere (perfect indicative proposui) to propose — more at propound

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing purpose

• accidentally on purpose
• a higher purpose
• all-purpose
• clarity of purpose
• cross-purpose
• defeat the purpose of
• dual-purpose
• for a good purpose
• for no apparent purpose
• general-purpose
• purpose-built
• serve a purpose
• serve no purpose
• share a common purpose
• special purpose acquisition company
• strength of purpose
• to good purpose
• to no good purpose
• to the purpose

Rhymes for purpose

• multipurpose

Kids Definition

purpose

noun

pur·​pose

ˈpər-pəs

1

: something set up as an end to be attained

2

: an object or result achieved

worked to little purpose

purposeful

-fəl

adjective

purposefully

-fə-lē

adverb

purposefulness

-fəl-nəs

noun

purposeless

-pəs-ləs

adjective

Legal Definition

purpose

noun

pur·​pose ˈpər-pəs 

: an objective, effect, or result aimed at or attained

specifically : the business activity in which a corporation is chartered to engage

purposeful

-fəl 

adjective

purposefully adverb

purposefulness noun