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purpose

/ˈpɝpəs/noun, verb2 syllables

Purpose means: an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions.

Synonyms for purpose23

noun, as in an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

intent, intention, aim, design

noun, as in what something is used for

function, role, use

noun, as in the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose

determination

verb, as in propose or intend

aim, purport, propose

verb, as in reach a decision

resolve

also used for purpose

end, point, meaning, resolution, goal, object, target, plan, reason for doing something, intend, mean, set out

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What does purpose mean?5

noun

1

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions“his intent was to provide a new translation”

2

what something is used for“the function of an auger is to bore holes”

3

the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose“his determination showed in his every movement”

verb

1

propose or intend“I aim to arrive at noon”

2

reach a decision“he resolved never to drink again”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with purpose?1

four syllables

multipurpose
Show 40 near rhymes
personservicecurrentcertainversiongermancommercialsurfacejournalpurchaseinternalurbandetermineddeterminecircleexternaluniversalcircuitpurchasedpersonsnervouscolonelversionscouragepurpleversusworshipconversionburdencontroversialgermansurgentnursescirclessurgeoneternalservantmerchantthermalservants

Purpose in a sentence

  • But, if by that, morale drops wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the exercise?fcbond
  • Despite the importance of sleep, its purpose is a mystery.Swift
  • It is better to remain silent, than to talk without purpose.Scott
  • To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose.MrShoval
  • You made the mistake on purpose, didn't you?Dejo
  • You made that mistake on purpose, didn't you?jdmcowan
  • Believe me, the purpose of that is not understandable.vvv123
  • Compared to a computer, a word processor has a single purpose.unknown

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of purpose

as a noun

plural
purposes

as a verb

past tense
purposed
present participle
purposing
third-person singular
purposes
past participle
purposed