purpose

When you do something with purpose, you do it with determination. When your activities have a purpose, you have an aim or intention in mind.

This noun also has a third meaning: "function, role, or use." The purpose of a fork, for instance, is to spear and scoop food from your plate, not to poke your little brother at the dinner table. Purpose can also be used as a verb meaning "to reach a decision" or "to intend," though these uses of the word are quite a bit less frequent nowadays.

Definitions of purpose

n what something is used for

Synonyms:: function, role, use

Types:: raison d'etre
the purpose that justifies a thing's existence

Type of:: usefulness, utility
the quality of being of practical use

n an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

Synonyms:: aim, design, intent, intention

Types:: show 6 types...; hide 6 types...; idea, mind
your intention; what you intend to do; cross-purpose
a contrary aim; final cause
(philosophy) the end or purpose of a thing or process; sake
the purpose of achieving or obtaining; view
purpose; the phrase `with a view to' means `with the intention of' or `for the purpose of'; will
a fixed and persistent intent or purpose

Type of:: end, goal
the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it

n the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose

“he is a man of purpose”

Synonyms:: determination

Types:: show 6 types...; hide 6 types...; doggedness, perseverance, persistence, persistency, pertinacity, tenaciousness, tenacity
persistent determination; indefatigability, indefatigableness, tirelessness
tireless determination; diligence, industriousness, industry
persevering determination to perform a task; assiduity, assiduousness, concentration
great and constant diligence and attention; sedulity, sedulousness
the quality of being constantly diligent and attentive; studiousness
diligent study

Type of:: firmness, firmness of purpose, resoluteness, resolution, resolve
the trait of being resolute

v propose or intend

Synonyms:: aim, propose, purport

Type of:: intend, mean, think
have in mind as a purpose

v reach a decision

Synonyms:: resolve

Type of:: decide, determine, make up one's mind
reach, make, or come to a decision about something

n what something is used for

n an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

n the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose

v propose or intend

v reach a decision

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