释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024pur•pose /ˈpɜrpəs/USA pronunciation n. - the reason for which something exists or is done, made, etc.:[countable]For what purpose are we meeting today?
- an intended or desired result;
aim; goal:[countable]His purpose in life was to get rich. - willingness to accomplish or achieve some goal or aim;
resoluteness:[uncountable]A good student has to have a sense of purpose. Idioms- Idioms on purpose, intentionally:She spilled the paint on purpose.
pur•pose•less, adj. See -pos-. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024pur•pose (pûr′pəs),USA pronunciation n., v., -posed, -pos•ing. n. - the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
- an intended or desired result;
end; aim; goal. - determination;
resoluteness. - the subject in hand;
the point at issue. - practical result, effect, or advantage:to act to good purpose.
- Idioms on purpose, by design;
intentionally:How could you do such a thing on purpose? - Idioms to the purpose, relevant;
to the point:Her objections were not to the purpose. v.t. - to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.
- to intend;
design. - to resolve (to do something):He purposed to change his way of life radically.
v.i. - to have a purpose.
- Anglo-French, Old French purposer
- Old French, derivative of purposer, variant of proposer to propose; (verb, verbal) Middle English purposen
- (noun, nominal) Middle English purpos 1250–1300
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged object, point, rationale. See intention.
- 9.See corresponding entry in Unabridged mean, contemplate, plan.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: purpose /ˈpɜːpəs/ n - the reason for which anything is done, created, or exists
- a fixed design, outcome, or idea that is the object of an action or other effort
- fixed intention in doing something; determination: a man of purpose
- practical advantage or use: to work to good purpose
- that which is relevant or under consideration (esp in the phrase to or from the purpose)
- archaic purport
- on purpose ⇒ intentionally
vb (transitive)- to intend or determine to do (something)
Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French porpos, from porposer to plan, from Latin prōpōnere to propose |