purpose
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
How often you will meet it
Rank 692 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 27,399 times across 175,173 chapters — 0.013% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
noun
- an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions also: intent, intention, aim, design his intent was to provide a new translationgood intentions are not enough
- what something is used for also: function, role, use the function of an auger is to bore holesballet is beautiful but what use is it?
- the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose also: determination his determination showed in his every movementhe is a man of purpose
verb
- propose or intend also: aim, purport, propose I aim to arrive at noon
- reach a decision also: resolve he resolved never to drink again
purpose in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Can you find any one who believes in my honesty of purpose?
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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Here is a jar and a handkerchief--good, they might have been left on purpose.
The Emperor — Volume 02 · Georg Ebers · Chapter 1
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I came away early, for the express purpose of driving to ask about her.
Greville Fane · Henry James · Chapter 1
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He suggested that Ireland should be made into a military and naval depot--used solely for that purpose.
The Crown of Life · George Gissing · Chapter 1
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It is not the purpose of this defense to say one word against the white women of the South.
The Red Record Tabulated Statistics · Ida B. Wells-Barnett · Chapter 1