Meaning

5 senses

  1. (countable, uncountable)The end for which something is done, is made or exists.

    What is the purpose of your visit?

    The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

    Zweck, Ziel

    цельcelʹ, предназначе́ниеprednaznačénije

    цільcilʹ, мета́metá

  2. (countable, uncountable)Function, role.

    The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.

    Intention, Absicht

    наме́рениеnamérenije

    на́мірnámir

  3. (countable, uncountable)Meaning for existing or doing something.

  4. (countable, uncountable)Resolution; determination.

    Grund

    реши́мостьrešímostʹ, реши́тельностьrešítelʹnostʹ, упо́рствоupórstvo

    на́мірnámir

  5. (countable, obsolete, uncountable)The subject of discourse; the point at issue.

    Thema

    те́маtéma

More definitions
  • an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
  • the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose
  • what something is used for

Examples

889 sentences

  1. What's the purpose of your visit?

    Яка мета вашого візиту?

    ruКакова цель вашего визита?

    deWas ist der Grund Ihres Besuchs?

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · A2Open on TatoebaReport a problem

  2. He broke the window on purpose.

    Він зумисне розбив вікно.

    ruОн специально разбил окно.

    deEr hat das Fenster absichtlich zerbrochen.

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · A2Open on TatoebaReport a problem

  3. He didn't do it on purpose.

    Він не зробив це навмисно.

    ruОн это сделал не нарочно.

    deEr hat es nicht absichtlich gemacht.

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · A2Open on TatoebaReport a problem

  4. What's the purpose of your trip?

    Яка мета вашої поїздки?

    ruКакова цель вашей поездки?

    deWas ist der Zweck ihrer Reise?

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · A2Open on TatoebaReport a problem

  5. Tom made that mistake on purpose.

    Том зробив цю помилку навмисне.

    ruТом специально сделал эту ошибку.

    deTom hat den Fehler absichtlich gemacht.

    CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · A2Open on TatoebaReport a problem

Translations

9 languages
Українська
By meaning 2
end for which something is done, is made or exists:
intention:
Русский
By meaning 5
end for which something is done, is made or exists:
intention:
determination:
reason for doing something:
subject of discourse:
Deutsch
By meaning 4
end for which something is done, is made or exists:
intention:
reason for doing something:
subject of discourse:

Origin

From Middle English purpos, from Old French purposer (“to propose”) (with conjugation alte

From Middle English purpos, from Old French purposer (“to propose”) (with conjugation altered based on poser), from Latin prō- (“forth”) + pōnere (“place, put”), hence Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere. By surface analysis, pur- + pose (“halt, pause, put, place”).

Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Forms

plural: purposes
Singularpurpose
Pluralpurposes

regular

Synonyms

20 synonyms
endA1pointA1meaningA2goalA1objectB1targetA2planA1reason for doing something
end:aimB1
determination:determinationB1intentionB1resolutionB2
subject of discourse:matterA1subjectA1topicA1
Close in meaning

Word family

28 related words
DerivedpurposefulB2all-purposeall-purpose flourapurposeby-purposecross-purposedispurposedual-purposeforepurposegeneral-purposemispurposemultipurposepurpose-builtpurpose clausepurposelesspurposelikepurpose-likepurpose loanpurposelypurpose-madepurpose statementrepurposespecial-purpose entityspecial-purpose vehicle

Lessons for this word

1 lessons

Collocations

9 patterns
  • that on purpose
  • the purpose of
  • purpose of studying
  • on purpose do
  • for the purpose
  • mistake on purpose
  • this on purpose
  • purpose of this
  • purpose of the

See also

neighbours in the dictionary
purpleA1purplishpurportpurposefulB2purposefullypurposelesspurposely
purpose — meaning, examples, forms, synonyms | Krumeto