purpose

noun

The end for which something is done, is made or exists.

Function, role.

(Sense of having a) meaning for existing or doing something.

Resolution; determination.

(obsolete) The subject of discourse; the point at issue.

verb

(transitive) To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.

(intransitive) To have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.

(obsolete, intransitive) To discourse.

Roots

propur- · Latin · forth, forward pono-pos · Latin · put, place

Synonyms for purpose

intentionn intentn aimn purportv objectiven goaln functionn motiven determinationn purposefulnessn reasonn meaningn purposelyadv rationalen rolen usen designedlyadv intendmentn missionn

Synonyms & related words for purpose

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of purpose — including intention, intent, aim, purport, objective, goal. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to purpose

Explore words related to purpose — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include intended, purposiveness, purposive, conducing, intension, purposeful, intending, meant. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for purpose

Common synonyms for purpose include intention, intent, aim, purport, objective, goal, function, motive — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does purpose come from?

The word purpose breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: pur-, from Latin pro (“forth, forward”); and -pos, from Latin pono (“put, place”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.