forpreposition
ukstrong /fɔːr/weak /fər/usstrong /fɔːr/weak /fɚ/for preposition (INTENDED FOR)
A1 intended to be given to:
There's a phone message for you.
I'd better buy something for the new baby.
There's a prize for the fastest three runners in each category.
More examples
- We're having a collection for Tom's retirement present.
- Your shoes will be repaired and ready for you to collect on Thursday.
- A young girl came up to me and asked for money.
- There's a letter for you on the table.
- There'll be a prize for the best entry.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Belongings and possessions
- accoutrements
- asset
- belongings
- capital assets
- chattel
- estate
- landholding
- lost property
- lost property office
- lost-and-found
- materially
- name
- of
- possession
- property
- resource
- swag
- thing
- toxic asset
See more results »
for preposition (PURPOSE)
A2 having the purpose of:
There's a sign there saying "boats for hire".
This pool is for the use of hotel guests only.
I'm sorry, the books are not for sale.
They've invited us for dinner on Saturday.
Everyone in the office is contributing money for his leaving present.
I need some money for tonight.
Which vitamins should you take for (= in order to cure) skin problems?
Put those clothes in a pile for washing (= so that they can be washed).
More examples
- I need some money for tonight.
- There are several plots of land for sale.
- We had some friends round for lunch yesterday.
- The polish is not for use on wooden surfaces.
- Don't take the game too seriously, it's just for fun.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Goals and purposes
- affordance
- aim
- ambition
- aspiration
- avail
- cause 1
- dedicated
- deliverable
- end
- KPI
- objective
- order
- orientation
- point
- poodle
- poodle around (sth)
- prize
- target
- use
- utility
See more results »
for preposition (BECAUSE OF)
A2 because of or as a result of something:
I'm feeling all the better for my holiday.
"How are you?" "Fine, and all the better for seeing you!"
She did 15 years in prison for murder.
I don't eat meat for various reasons.
I couldn't see for the tears in my eyes.
The things you do for love!
He's widely disliked in the company for his arrogance.
She couldn't talk for coughing (= she was coughing too much to talk).
Scotland is famous for its spectacular countryside.
He's best remembered for his novels.
I didn't say anything for fear of (= because I was frightened of) offending him.
if it wasn't/weren't for also if it hadn't been for
without:
If it wasn't for the life jacket, I would have drowned.
More examples
- The pitcher is famous for the speed of his delivery.
- He decided to forsake politics for journalism.
- Coppola garnered several Oscar awards for 'The Godfather'.
- I think he's trying to get back at her for those remarks she made in the meeting.
- She was publicly acclaimed for her contribution to the discovery.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: connecting words which introduce a cause or reason
- as
- at
- because
- because of
- behalf
- cos
- courtesy
- fear
- from
- herein
- necessarily
- on sb's account idiom
- order
- owing to
- right
- sake 1
- thanks
- through
- with
- with a view to doing sth idiom
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Lacking things
for preposition (TIME/DISTANCE)
A1 used to show an amount of time or distance:
We walked for miles.
She's out of the office for a few days next week.
I'm just going to lie down for an hour or so.
I haven't played tennis for years.
More examples
- We get cut-rate electricity for six hours each night.
- Mr Black has been a client of this firm for many years.
- The network will be down for an hour for routine maintenance.
- I feel like I've been cooped up in this flat for days.
- It feels like we've been walking for miles.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Describing when something happened or will happen
- at
- be
- coincident
- hundred
- immediately
- in
- line
- movable feast
- on
- one
- somewhere along the line idiom
- space
- up
- within
for preposition (OCCASION)
A2 on the occasion of or at the time of:
What did you buy him for Christmas?
I'd like an appointment with the doctor for some time this week.
We're having a party for Jim's 60th birthday.
I've booked a table at the restaurant for nine o'clock.
More examples
- They planned a special celebration for her homecoming.
- They're making the most elaborate preparations for the wedding.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Describing when something happened or will happen
- at
- be
- coincident
- hundred
- immediately
- in
- line
- movable feast
- on
- one
- somewhere along the line idiom
- space
- up
- within
for preposition (COMPARING)
C1 used for comparing one thing with others of the same type:
She's very mature for her age.
For every two people in favour of the law there are three against.
The winter has been unusually cold for Florida.
It was a difficult decision, especially for a child.
For a man of his wealth he's not exactly generous.
More examples
- She's rather immature for her age, don't you think?
- For every two people in favour of the law there are three against.
- For a man of his wealth he's not exactly generous.
- He plays very well for a beginner.
- Can I swap this t-shirt for another one?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Comparing and contrasting
- against
- analogy
- antithesis
- as against idiom
- balance
- balance sth against sth
- benchmark
- compare
- comparison
- competitive
- contrast
- contrastive
- gold standard
- measure
- perspective
- relative
- relatively
- simile
- stack up
- vis-à-vis
See more results »
for preposition (RESPONSIBILITY)
C1 used to say whose responsibility something is:
She knew the driver of the other car was not responsible for her son's death.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Duty, obligation and responsibility
- accountable
- answer for sb/sth
- answer for sth
- answer to sb
- answerable
- commitment
- fail
- have sth on your hands idiom
- I am not my brother's keeper idiom
- in the hot seat idiom
- incharge
- it's your own lookout idiom
- portfolio
- responsibility
- responsible
- risk
- saddle sb with sth
- shoulder
- social contract
- stick
See more results »
for preposition (SUPPORT)
B2 in support of or in agreement with:
I voted for the Greens at the last election.
Those voting for the motion, 96, and those voting against, 54.
Most of the Republicans voted for the measure.
So let's hear some applause for these talented young performers.
Who's for (= who wants to play) tennis?
be all for sth
to approve of or support something very much:
I've got nothing against change - I'm all for it.
I'm all for gender equality, but I think the most qualified person should get the job.
More examples
- I'm all for making changes to the system.
- Are you for or against the new proposals?
- Who will you be voting for at the next election?
- Three cheers for the winner!
- Anyone for coffee?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Backing, supporting & defending
- -backed
- argumentation
- bale out
- bear
- behind every great/successful man there stands a woman idiom
- buttress
- carry
- defensible
- endorse
- espouse
- fight your corner idiom
- right behind sb idiom
- speak
- sponsor
- stake
- stand by sb
- stand by sth
- stand shoulder to shoulder with sb idiom
- sympathize
- sympathy
See more results »
for preposition (HELP)
B1 in order to help someone:
Let me carry those bags for you.
Hello, what can I do for you?
My sister will take care of the dog for us while we're away.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Helping and co-operating
- a good/bad turn idiom
- abet
- aid
- assist
- assistance
- avail
- bridge
- carry
- facilitate
- give sb a leg up idiom
- give/lend sb a helping hand idiom
- go a long way toward(s) doing sth idiom
- hang
- platform
- reach
- relief
- run errands idiom
- see sb through sth
- share a platform idiom
- start sb off
See more results »
for preposition (IN RELATION TO)
in relation to someone or something:
Her feelings for him had changed.
He felt nothing but contempt for her.
I've got a lot of admiration for people who do that sort of work.
He's quite good-looking but he's too short for me.
The ice-cream was a little bit sweet for me.
That jacket looks a little big for you.
Jackie's already left and, as for me, I'm going at the end of the month.
Luckily for me (= I was lucky), I already had another job.
How are you doing for money/time (= do you have enough money/time)?
for all
C2 despite:
For all her qualifications, she's still useless at the job.
More examples
- The children had a lot of respect for their teacher.
- Her feelings for him had changed.
- Police are still looking for clues in their search for the missing girl.
- He had a deep affection for his aunt.
- She was afraid for her children.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linking and relating
- affiliated
- AL
- appertain to sth
- applicable
- associate
- associated
- bond
- concern
- connection
- context
- interconnected
- interplay
- interrelate
- interrelationship
- kindred
- tar sb with the same brush idiom
- the same/that goes for sb/sth idiom
- tie (sth) in
- tie-in
- tie-up
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Linguistics: connecting words which express a contrast
for preposition (PAYMENT)
A2 (getting) in exchange:
How much did you pay for your glasses?
I've sponsored her £1 for every mile that she runs.
She sold the house for a lot of money.
The mechanic said he'd repair my car for £300.
More examples
- How much did you pay for the tickets?
- I've got £20 000 worth of cover for the contents of my house.
- £4 for an orange juice? That's just daylight robbery!
- A collector would pay $500 for a mint copy.
- The company pays £220 a week for people to act as couriers.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Paying money
- ante
- charge
- chargeable
- congestion charge
- demurrage
- disburse
- discharge
- disgorge
- fork
- fork out sth
- overspend
- pay up
- pick up the bill/tab idiom
- put sth down 1
- repayable
- self-financing
- sink
- spring
- tip
- worth
See more results »
for preposition (REPRESENTING)
B1 being employed by or representing a company, country, etc.:
She works for a charity.
He swam for the United States in the 2000 Olympics.
More examples
- He plays for Manchester United.
- Many people in the town used to work for the steel company.
- She's been capped for Scotland nine times.
- I've been out canvassing for the Labour Party every evening this week.
- Do you still work for the government?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Replacing and exchanging
- alternate
- alternatively
- bargain sth away
- change over
- change places idiom
- name
- part exchange
- pinch-hit
- pre-empt
- proxy
- rep
- represent
- reserve
- shoe
- sit
- substitution
- succeed
- succession
- supersede
- supplant
See more results »
for preposition (TOWARDS)
A2 towards; in the direction of:
They looked as if they were heading for the train station.
Just follow signs for the museum.
This time tomorrow we'll be setting off for the States.
It says this train is for (= going to stop at) Birmingham and Coventry only.
More examples
- Follow the signs for the train station.
- They were running for the bus.
- The roads were busy with people heading for the coast.
- The team was on course for victory.
- The alarm sent people scrambling for the exits.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Describing movement towards
- -ways
- at
- convergent
- earthward
- facing
- forward
- forwards
- hither
- into
- inwards
- on
- oncoming
- onward
- onwards
- thither
- unto
- up
- ward
- way
- wise
See more results »
for preposition (MEANING)
A2 showing meaning:
What's the Spanish word for "vegetarian"?
What does the "M.J." stand for? Maria José?
More examples
- What's that symbol for?
- LCD stands for liquid crystal display.
- We had to learn chemical formulae at school, but I can only remember H2O for water.
- The green light is for go.
- Alpha is used for the letter A.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Meaning & significance
- add
- add up to sth
- badge
- connotation
- denotation
- drift
- drive
- hermeneutic
- hermeneutics
- how
- ie
- loaded
- mean
- modality
- pregnant
- put words in/into sb's mouth idiom
- significantly
- signify
- speak to sb idiom
- word
See more results »
for preposition (TO GET)
A2 in order to get or achieve:
I hate waiting for public transport.
I had to run for the bus.
Did you send off for details of the competition?
I've applied for a job with another computer company.
More examples
- He wrote off for more information.
- The film was nominated for an Academy Award.
- I've applied for several jobs since leaving university.
- You have to get there early for the best seats.
- 50 percent is needed for a pass.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Goals and purposes
- affordance
- aim
- ambition
- aspiration
- avail
- cause 1
- dedicated
- deliverable
- end
- KPI
- objective
- order
- orientation
- point
- poodle
- poodle around (sth)
- prize
- target
- use
- utility
See more results »
for preposition (DUTY)
the duty or responsibility of:
As to whether you should marry him - that's for you to decide.
It's not for me to tell her what she should do with her life.
"How many people should I invite to the party?" "It's not really for me to say."
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Duty, obligation and responsibility
- accountable
- answer for sb/sth
- answer for sth
- answer to sb
- answerable
- commitment
- fail
- have sth on your hands idiom
- I am not my brother's keeper idiom
- in the hot seat idiom
- incharge
- it's your own lookout idiom
- portfolio
- responsibility
- responsible
- risk
- saddle sb with sth
- shoulder
- social contract
- stick
See more results »
for preposition (IN TROUBLE)
for it UK informal mainly US in for it
in trouble:
You'll be for it when she finds out!
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Experiencing difficulties
- be
- be (caught) between a rock and a hard place idiom
- be climbing the walls idiom
- be for the high jump idiom
- be/come up against a brick wall idiom
- creek
- difficulty
- embattled
- fall into sth
- flounder
- frying pan
- jungle
- leg
- on a razor edge idiom
- out of the frying pan into the fire idiom
- patch
- pickle
- pressed
- pushed
- thin
See more results »
Idiom(s)
for all sb cares/knows
that/there's ... for you
what ... for?
forconjunction
ukstrong /fɔːr/weak /fər/usstrong /fɔːr/weak /fɚ/old-fashioned or literaryfor conjunction (BECAUSE)
because; as:
She remained silent, for her heart was heavy and her spirits low.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: connecting words which introduce a cause or reason
- as
- at
- because
- because of
- behalf
- cos
- courtesy
- fear
- from
- herein
- necessarily
- on sb's account idiom
- order
- owing to
- right
- sake 1
- thanks
- through
- with
- with a view to doing sth idiom
See more results »