purpose

Everyday

1. The purpose of something is the reason it exists or the job it is meant to do. tree →
2. Your purpose is what you are trying to achieve. tree →
3. If you do something on purpose, you mean to do it; it is not an accident. tree →
4. To purpose something means to intend or plan to do it. tree →

In the lessons

In school and science you ask «What is the purpose of the roots?» (to take in water and hold the plant). In writing lessons the «purpose» of a text is why it was written: to inform, persuade or entertain. In everyday life and fairness «on purpose» matters a lot: hurting someone on purpose is much worse than by accident, and saying «It wasn't on purpose» is how people explain mistakes. In stories a hero often finds a purpose in life.

Examples

• What is the purpose of a seatbelt? tree →
• The purpose of this experiment is to find out which material floats. tree →
• He tripped me on purpose! tree →
• I didn't break it on purpose, I'm sorry. tree →
• The purpose of a persuasive letter is to change someone's mind. tree →
• Each tool in the box has its own purpose. tree →
• Our club's purpose is to keep the beach clean. tree →
• She left the door open on purpose so the cat could come in. tree →
• Bishop Olaf of Borglum, what dost thou purpose? tree →

Note

Countable noun. «On purpose» = deliberately; its opposite is «by accident» or «by mistake». Say «for the purpose of», not «for purpose». «Purposeful» means having a clear aim. Pronounced PUR-pus, not «pur-pose» like «pose».

In Jewish tradition

As a verb it means to plan or intend to do something, an old use. As a noun it means a plan or aim, as in "the purpose of the Almighty."

Interpretation. The tradition notes that God judges intent too; at Babel, the people's shared purpose shows how strong a united plan can be. The prophets and Proverbs teach that God's purpose cannot be undone, and human plans succeed through good counsel.

Examples

• then shall ye do unto him, as he had purposed to do unto his brother; so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee. (Torah DEU.19.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD said: 'Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do; and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do. (Torah GEN.11.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah; and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him: 'Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. (Torah GEN.27.42, JPS 1917) tree →
• Canst thou attain unto the purpose of the Almighty? (Writings JOB.11.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? (Prophets ISA.14.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war. (Writings PRO.20.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun. «On purpose» = deliberately; its opposite is «by accident» or «by mistake». Say «for the purpose of», not «for purpose». «Purposeful» means having a clear aim. Pronounced PUR-pus, not «pur-pose» like «pose».