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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate

purposeful

PUR-puhs-fuhl

Purposeful (adj) means having a clear intention or goal; determined. Example: “She walked with a purposeful stride toward the exit.”

adj
1
Having a clear intention or goal; determined.
"She walked with a purposeful stride toward the exit."
"His purposeful approach to negotiations impressed the board."

How to use purposeful

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishActing with clear intent and determination, rather than aimlessly.

Common pairings
purposeful stride purposeful action

Word forms

more purposeful comparative, most purposeful superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She walked with a _____ stride toward the exit.

Etymology

From purpose plus the adjective suffix -ful.

Related words

Rhymes for purposeful

See all rhymes for purposeful →

Frequently asked questions

What does “purposeful” mean?

The word “purposeful” means having a clear intention or goal; determined. In plain terms, acting with clear intent and determination, rather than aimlessly.

How do you pronounce “purposeful”?

“Purposeful” is pronounced PUR-puhs-fuhl (/ˈpɝ.pəs.fəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “purposeful” in a sentence?

Here is “purposeful” used in a sentence: “She walked with a purposeful stride toward the exit.”

What is another word for “purposeful”?

Words with a similar meaning to “purposeful” include intentional and purposive.

What part of speech is “purposeful”?

“Purposeful” is an adjective.

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