purposes

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 & related words for purposes

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Words related to purposes

Explore words related to purposes — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include intent, purposed, intention, purposing, aim, use, purport, intended. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does purposes come from?

The word purposes 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.