purpose
PUR-puhs
Purpose (noun) means the reason something exists or is done; its intended goal. Example: “What is the purpose of this button on the remote?”
noun
1
The reason something exists or is done; its intended goal.
"What is the purpose of this button on the remote?"
"The purpose of the meeting was to finalize the budget."
"She felt a new sense of purpose after starting the charity."
verb
1
To intend or plan to do something.
"She purposed to learn the piano before the end of the year."
"They purposed to visit every castle on the island during their holiday."
"He purposed to finish the project before the deadline."
How to use purpose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe reason behind doing something, or a sense of meaningful direction in life.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "on purpose" (intentionally) with "for the purpose of" (in order to).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sense of purpose
serve a purpose
on purpose
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Word forms
- Plural
- purposes
- Third person singular
- purposes
- Past tense
- purposed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
What is the _____ of this button on the remote?
Etymology
From Old French purposer ("to propose"), ultimately from Latin prōpōnere ("to put forth"), from prō- ("forth") plus pōnere ("to place").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for purpose
See all rhymes for purpose →Frequently asked questions
What does “purpose” mean?
The word “purpose” means the reason something exists or is done; its intended goal. In plain terms, the reason behind doing something, or a sense of meaningful direction in life.
How do you pronounce “purpose”?
“Purpose” is pronounced PUR-puhs (/ˈpɝpəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “purpose” in a sentence?
Here is “purpose” used in a sentence: “The purpose of the meeting was to finalize the budget.”
What is another word for “purpose”?
Words with a similar meaning to “purpose” include goal, object, target, plan, intention and reason for doing something.
What part of speech is “purpose”?
Depending on how it is used, “purpose” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “purpose” come from?
The word “purpose” comes from Latin. From Old French purposer ("to propose"), ultimately from Latin prōpōnere ("to put forth"), from prō- ("forth") plus pōnere ("to place").
Is “purpose” a common word?
“Purpose” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “purpose” have?
“Purpose” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the reason something exists or is done; its intended goal.
What is the difference between purpose and goal?
A purpose is the underlying reason something exists or is done — the deeper 'why.' A goal is a specific, often measurable target you aim to reach along the way. A charity's purpose might be to reduce hunger, while its goal this year is to open ten food banks. Purpose gives direction; goals are the steps toward it.
What is the difference between purpose and meaning?
Purpose is about function and direction — what something is for, or what you aim to achieve. Meaning is about significance — why something matters or the value it holds. A job can have a clear purpose yet feel short on meaning, or feel deeply meaningful without a fixed purpose. The two often support each other but are not identical.
Why is purpose important?
A clear purpose explains why something exists and guides the decisions around it. For people, a sense of purpose is linked to motivation, focus, and wellbeing, giving effort a direction worth sustaining. For organisations and projects, it aligns choices and priorities. Without it, actions can feel aimless because there is no reason holding them together.
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