Dictionary / purpose
purpose
- noun
- verb
- from Old French
The end for which something is done, is made or exists.
1 All current definitions
Every sense of “purpose” in current use, as recorded by Wiktionary. Older and obsolete senses are kept separately.
noun · etymology 1
- countableuncountableThe end for which something is done, is made or exists.
What is the purpose of your visit?
- countableuncountableFunction, role.
The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.
- countableuncountablemeaning for existing or doing something.
Before being hospitalized, Thea filled her days with work that gave her life purpose. Whether it was teaching, writing, or investing in relationships, Thea was busily and actively engaged in activity that she could feel good about.2011 October 1, Sarah Jobe, Creating with God: The Holy Confusing Blessedness of Being Pregnant, Paraclete Press, →ISBN:
- countableuncountableResolution; determination.
Perhaps you have heard that there was once some purpose of marriage between the Duc de Joyeuse and myself; it is of that which I have to tell.1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 190:
Older & obsolete senses (1)
- countableobsoleteuncountableThe subject of discourse; the point at issue.
verb · etymology 2
- transitiveTo have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
Our gracious Ancestors, however, purposed Nothing, against these their ancient and implacable Enemies, save what was necessary and indispensable, with respect to their own Preservation.1761, Henry Brooke, The Tryal of the Roman Catholics of Ireland, page 139:
- intransitiveTo have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.
Older & obsolete senses (1)
- intransitiveobsoleteTo discourse.
Cross-check: WordNet senses (5)
- nounan anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions — also: intent, intention, aim, design
- nounwhat something is used for — also: function, role, use
- nounthe quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose — also: determination
- verbpropose or intend — also: aim, purport, propose
- verbreach a decision — also: resolve
Synonyms: aim, goal, object, target, plan, intention, determination, resolution, matter, subject, topic, reason for doing something
2 History of the word
The etymology, the path the word travelled, and the words built from it.
Etymology 1 (noun)
The word’s journey, newest to oldest:
- English (today)purpose
- Middle Englishpurpos
- Old Frenchpurposer “to propose”
- Latinprō- “forth” + pōnere “place, put”
From Middle English purpos, from Old French purposer (“to propose”) (with conjugation altered based on poser), from Latin prō- (“forth”) + pōnere (“place, put”), hence Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere. By surface analysis, pur- + pose (“halt, pause, put, place”).
Etymology 2 (verb)
The word’s journey, newest to oldest:
- English (today)purpose
- Middle Englishpurposen
- Old Frenchpurposer “to propose”
From Middle English purposen, from Old French purposer (“to propose”).
Derivatives — words built from “purpose”
Phrases & compounds
Want to go deeper? See also “purpose” on Etymonline ↗
3 Original language
Where “purpose” came from before it was English.
Etymology 1 (noun)
Etymology 2 (verb)
4 Original meaning
What the word meant at the oldest point the record reaches.
Historical meaning — Webster’s 1913
A historical record, labelled as such: some of these senses are dated or have since shifted.
purpose n. [OF. purpos, pourpos, propos, L. propositum. See Propound.]
- That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim; design; intention; plan.
- Proposal to another; discourse.
- Instance; example.
purpose v. t. [OF. purposer, proposer. See Propose.]
- To set forth; to bring forward.
- To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; -- often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause.
purpose v. i.
- To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
5 Use it with confidence
Model sentences from the sources, matched to the meaning they show. Read each one aloud, then make your own in the game.
nounMeaning: The end for which something is done, is made or exists.
What is the purpose of your visit?
The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
nounMeaning: Function, role.
The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.
The purpose of the gall-bladder is obviously to permit the accumulation of bile, when it is not wanted in the intestine; and we find it most constantly present in those tribes of animals, which live upon animal food1846, William Benjamin Carpenter, Elements of Physiology: Including Physiological Anatomy, for the Use of the Medical Student, page 281:
nounMeaning: meaning for existing or doing something.
Before being hospitalized, Thea filled her days with work that gave her life purpose. Whether it was teaching, writing, or investing in relationships, Thea was busily and actively engaged in activity that she could feel good about.2011 October 1, Sarah Jobe, Creating with God: The Holy Confusing Blessedness of Being Pregnant, Paraclete Press, →ISBN:
This place gave him purpose, gave him joy. It was both his life and his lifeline and she was both thrilled and relieved that he'd recovered enough to be able to maintain the place.2015, Donna Kauffman, Snowflake Bay, Zebra Books, →ISBN, page 338:
nounMeaning: Resolution; determination.
Perhaps you have heard that there was once some purpose of marriage between the Duc de Joyeuse and myself; it is of that which I have to tell.1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 190:
United began with more purpose in the early phase of the second half and Liverpool were grateful for Glen Johnson's crucial block from Young's goalbound shot.2013 September 1, Phil McNulty, BBC Sport:
verbMeaning: To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
Our gracious Ancestors, however, purposed Nothing, against these their ancient and implacable Enemies, save what was necessary and indispensable, with respect to their own Preservation.1761, Henry Brooke, The Tryal of the Roman Catholics of Ireland, page 139:
I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living.1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter I, in The History of England from the Accession of James II, volume I, London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC, page 1:
nounMeaning: the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose
he is a man of purpose
Three steps to owning it
- Pick one meaning above and read its model sentence out loud.
- Say who or what the word is about in your own life, then build a sentence around that.
- Check it against the definition: would a careful reader understand exactly that meaning?
6 The mastery game
Play it here, or print it and do it with pen and paper. At the end you will know the meanings, history, origin and original meaning — and you will have used the word yourself.
Say it, then spell it
purpose
/ˈpɜː.pəs/
Say the word out loud three times, slowly. Notice the stressed syllable. When you are ready, hide it and spell it from memory.
Activate Words · Word-mastery worksheet · Name: ______________________ Date: __________
purpose
/ˈpɜː.pəs/ · noun, verb
Step 1 — Say it and write it
Say “purpose” out loud three times. Then cover the word and write it three times from memory.
Step 2 — Know every meaning
Read each definition. Then write it again in your own words.
Step 3 — Which meaning is it?
“What is the purpose of your visit?”
Circle the meaning used.
“The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.”
Circle the meaning used.
Step 4 — History and origin
Write the word’s journey back in time (each language and form):
Write three words built from “purpose” and what each means:
Step 5 — Original meaning
The earliest traceable form is Old French purposer. What did it mean?
How does that original meaning connect to the meanings today?
Step 6 — Use it yourself
☐ I can explain its meanings ☐ I know its history ☐ I know its original language ☐ I know its original meaning ☐ I can use it confidently
Answer key — purpose
Which meaning, sentence 1: C. The end for which something is done, is made or exists.
Which meaning, sentence 2: B. Function, role.
Origin: C. Old French (Old French purposer)
Journey: English purpose ← Middle English purpos ← Old French purposer ← Latin prō- + pōnere
Some derivatives: all-purpose, apurpose, by-purpose, cross-purpose, dispurpose, dual-purpose, forepurpose, general-purpose
Original meaning: Old French purposer — “to propose”
Built from: prō- “forth” + pōnere “place, put”
Etymology: From Middle English purpos, from Old French purposer (“to propose”) (with conjugation altered based on poser), from Latin prō- (“forth”) + pōnere (“place, put”), hence Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere. By surface analysis, pur- + pose (“halt, pause, put, place”).
Sources: Wiktionary “purpose” (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/purpose#English), CC BY-SA 4.0, via kaikki.org; Princeton WordNet 3.0; Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913, public domain) via GCIDE. Worksheet from https://activatewords.com/w/purpose