Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈpɝpəs/Category:Entries with IPA pronunciation
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈpɜːpəs/Category:Entries with IPA pronunciation
• SAMPA: /"p3rp@s/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  Category:Entries with audio pronunciation
• Hyphenation: pur‧poseCategory:2-syllable words

Noun

Purpose is on the Academic Vocabulary List.

Category:AVL

1. (countable)Category:Countable nouns A purpose is reason for doing something or for existing.
   • Synonyms: goal, objective and plan

   Coal is used for only three purposes: heating houses, generating electricity and making steel.

   The main purpose of the visit was to see the new building.

Verb

1. (transitive)Category:Transitive verbs If you purpose to do something, you plan on doing it.
   • Synonyms: aim and purport