purpose
pronunciation
How to pronounce purpose in British English:
UK [ˈpɜːpəs]
How to pronounce purpose in American English:
US [ˈpɜːrpəs]
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- Noun:
- an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
- what something is used for
- the quality of being determined to do or achieve something
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- Verb:
- propose or intend
- reach a decision
Word Origin
- purpose
- purpose: [13] Purpose, propose [14], and propound [16] are ultimately the same word. All go back to Latin prōpōnere ‘put forward, declare’, a compound verb formed from the prefix prō- ‘forward’ and pōnere ‘place’ (source of English pose, position, etc). Its past participle prōpositus was the source of two distinct Old French verbs: the minimally altered proposer, source of English propose; and purposer, which contains the Old French descendant of the Latin prefix prō-, source of English purpose. Propound is an alteration of an earlier propone (source of proponent [16]), which was based directly on prōpōnere.=> pose, position, propose, proponent, propound
- purpose (n.)
- c. 1300, "intention, aim, goal," from Anglo-French purpos, Old French porpos "aim, intention" (12c.), from porposer "to put forth," from por- "forth" (from Latin pro- "forth;" see pur-) + Old French poser "to put, place" (see pose (v.1)). On purpose "by design" is attested from 1580s; earlier of purpose (early 15c.).
- purpose (v.)
- late 14c., from Anglo-French purposer "to design," Old French porposer "to intend, propose," variant of proposer (see propose).
Synonym
Example
- 1. Is love a purpose of life ?
- 2. Each kind of resource serves a different purpose .
- 3. Tangible goals based on that purpose .
- 4. Derivatives serve a vital purpose in our global economy .
- 5. But this pattern varies depending on a page 's layout and purpose .