purpose
gb/pˈɚpəs/ us/pˈɚpəs/
B1
English
~ 700
cél, rendeltetés, szándékozik, tervez
NOUN
B1
1
cél
A1
rendeltetés
B2
Usage pattern:
the purpose of [something] is to [verb]
The main purpose of the meeting is to discuss the budget.
A megbeszélés fő célja a költségvetés megvitatása.
Her purpose in life is to help others.
Az a célja az életben, hogy másokon segítsen.
This tool was designed for the purpose of cutting glass.
He explained the purpose of the new rules to the staff.
They met with the purpose of finding a solution.
Learner examples
The purpose of a pen is to write.
A toll arra való, hogy írjunk vele.
My purpose today is to study.
Ma az a célom, hogy tanuljak.
The purpose of this box is to hold books.
What is the purpose of this button?
The purpose of the trip is to see my family.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'purpose' with 'goal'. A 'goal' is a specific target, while 'purpose' is the reason or motivation behind an action.
Meaning
Reason for doing something
Collocations
main purpose
|serve a purpose
|state the purpose
|clear purpose
|for a purpose
Synonyms
reason (More general term; not always tied to intention or goal.)
|
aim (Emphasizes a desired result or target rather than the underlying reason.)
Antonyms
pointlessness (Indicates the lack of a reason or usefulness.)
|
meaninglessness (Suggests absence of significance or purpose.)
Themes
motivation
|planning
|goals
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The reason why you do something or why something exists.
The reason for which something is done, created, or for which it exists.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
szándékozik
B2
tervez
A2
Usage pattern:
to purpose to [verb]
She purposes to start her own business next year.
Jövőre saját vállalkozást szándékozik indítani.
He purposes never to speak of it again.
Nem szándékozik soha többé beszélni róla.
They purposed to meet in secret.
Learner examples
I purpose to read more books this year.
Idén több könyvet tervezek olvasni.
She purposes to learn Spanish.
Spanyolul szándékozik tanulni.
We purpose to finish the work today.
Common mistake:
Many learners are unaware that 'purpose' as a verb is very formal and rare in everyday English; they should use 'intend' instead in most contexts.
Meaning
Intend or plan to do
Collocations
purpose in life
|purpose to achieve
|purpose firmly
Synonyms
intend (Most common everyday synonym; less formal.)
|
plan (Focuses on arranging details rather than just having an intention.)
Antonyms
neglect (Implies failing to plan or act intentionally.)
Themes
planning
|intentions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To plan to do something; to mean to do it.
To have as one's intention or plan.
Grammar
Dictionary form
purpose
IPA
GB/pˈɚpəs/
US/pˈɚpəs/
Syllables & stress
pur - pose (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pur)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: purpose
- Plural: purpose, purposes
Verb
- Base: purpose
- 3rd Person Singular: purposes
- Present Participle: purposing
- Past: purposed
Word family
Forms
purposes
noun
purposing
verb
purposed
verb
Core family
Related words
repurpose
verb
multipurpose
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
purposeless
adjective
purposelessly
adverb
Advanced or less common
purposive
adjective
purposefulness
noun
Expressions
for the purpose of
1/fɚ ðə pˈɚpəs əv/
fixed phrase
formal
With the aim of doing something
Used to show why something is done; for a particular reason.
Examples
- The form is used for the purpose of collecting customer feedback.
- She traveled for the purpose of studying abroad.
serve a purpose
1/sˈɚv ə pˈɚpəs/
fixed phrase
Be useful or functional
To be useful or help to achieve something.
Examples
- This old chair still serves a purpose in the guest room.
- His advice served a purpose during our negotiations.
to no purpose
1/tə nˈoʊ pˈɚpəs/
fixed phrase
formal
Without success or effect
Without getting any result; without success.
Examples
- He argued to no purpose; the decision had already been made.
- Their efforts were to no purpose in stopping the plan.
on purpose
1/ˈɔn pˈɚpəs/
fixed phrase
Intentionally, not accidentally
To do something on purpose means you do it because you want to, not by accident.
Examples
- I didn't break the vase on purpose.
- She left early on purpose so she could avoid traffic.
on purpose
2/ˈɔn pˈɚpəs/
fixed phrase
done deliberately, not by mistake
Done with intention, not by accident.
Examples
- She broke the vase on purpose.
- He left early on purpose to avoid traffic.
on purpose
3/ˈɔn pˈɚpəs/
fixed phrase
deliberately; not by accident
To do something on purpose means to do it intentionally, not by mistake or by chance.
Examples
- You broke my phone on purpose, didn’t you?
- He spilled coffee on his shirt and then joked that he did it on purpose to leave the meeting early.
- She didn’t ignore you on purpose; she just didn’t see your message.