English noun: purpose | |||
1. | purpose (cognition) an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions | ||
Samples | His intent was to provide a new translation. Good intentions are not enough. It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs. He made no secret of his designs. | ||
Synonyms | aim, design, intent, intention | ||
Broader (hypernym) | end, goal | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | cross-purpose, final cause, idea, mind, sake, view, will | ||
2. | purpose (attribute) what something is used for | ||
Samples | The function of an auger is to bore holes. Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?. | ||
Synonyms | function, role, use | ||
Broader (hypernym) | usefulness, utility | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | raison d'etre | ||
Attribute | functional, nonfunctional | ||
3. | purpose (attribute) the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose | ||
Samples | His determination showed in his every movement. He is a man of purpose. | ||
Synonyms | determination | ||
Broader (hypernym) | firmness, firmness of purpose, resoluteness, resolution, resolve | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | diligence, doggedness, indefatigability, indefatigableness, industriousness, industry, perseverance, persistence, persistency, pertinacity, tenaciousness, tenacity, tirelessness | ||
English verb: purpose | |||
1. | purpose (cognition) propose or intend | ||
Samples | I aim to arrive at noon. | ||
Synonyms | aim, propose, purport | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE | ||
Broader (hypernym) | intend, mean, think | ||
2. | purpose (cognition) reach a decision | ||
Samples | He resolved never to drink again. | ||
Synonyms | resolve | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s that CLAUSE. Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE | ||
Broader (hypernym) | decide, determine, make up one's mind | ||