A word that means to give purpose - Word и Excel - помощь в работе с программами

Purpose

(Heb. yaas [[«y]; Gk. boule [boulhv]). The Old Testament. The verbal root of the Hebrew word for purpose means to give counsel, deliberate, purpose, or determine. In five passages where the noun appears, four refer to God’s purpose and one to the purpose of a person’s heart ( Prov 19:21 ; 20:5 ; Isa 46:10-11 ; Jer 32:19 ). God’s plans stand firm forever ( Psalm 33:11 ); his purpose will stand ( Isa 46:10 ). What God intends, what he has in mind, what he purposes and plans, what he pleases — these together give the basis for a theology of history. God stands in the center of history as One who Acts. He has a goal in what he does. Nothing can thwart his plan. His purpose is consistently related to what he does in the world.

Two key passages in Isaiah reveal how God will carry out his purpose to deliver his people from darkness and oppression. Isaiah 9:6 refers to the «Wonderful Counselor» who will reign on David’s throne and administer justice and righteousness forever. Isaiah 11:2 refers to the stump of Jesse who will be given «the Spirit of counsel and of power.»

The New Testament. While David served God’s purpose as ruler over Israel ( Acts 13:36 ), the Pharisees and legal experts reject God’s purpose for them and refuse to submit to John’s baptism ( Luke 7:30 ).

It was by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge that Jesus was handed over to death at the hands of wicked people ( Acts 2:23 ). His power and will decided that critical, necessary salvific event beforehand ( 4:28 ).

A key passage is Epheisans 1:9-11. Paul explains that God works out everything brings all things under Christ in conformity with the purpose of his will. The whole economy of God is linked with his purpose.

Paul understands that the believer’s part in the people of God is not an accident or random phenomenon, but part of the divine purpose from the very beginning of time ( Rom 8:28-29 ). God’s purpose is specifically characterized by the words «foreknew» and «predestined.»

The good pleasure that God purposed in Christ has now been put into effect and will be seen in its completion when he sums up all things in Christ. In the meantime, however, God has called his people to live a holy life because of his own purpose and grace a grace given before the beginning of time in Christ Jesus, but now revealed in the Savior’s appearing.

Walter M. Dunnett

See also Foreknowledge; Predestination

Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell
Copyright © 1996 by Walter A. Elwell. Published by Baker Books, a division of
Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement.

Bibliography InformationElwell, Walter A. «Entry for ‘Purpose'». «Evangelical Dictionary of Theology». . 1997.

Источник

Other forms: purposes; purposed; purposing

When you do something with purpose, you do it with determination. When your activities have a purpose, you have an aim or intention in mind.

This noun also has a third meaning: «function, role, or use.» The purpose of a fork, for instance, is to spear and scoop food from your plate, not to poke your little brother at the dinner table. Purpose can also be used as a verb meaning «to reach a decision» or «to intend,» though these uses of the word are quite a bit less frequent nowadays.

Definitions of purpose

noun

what something is used for
noun

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

synonyms:

aim, design, intent, intention, mission

see moresee less

types:

show 6 types…

hide 6 types…

idea, mind

your intention; what you intend to do

cross-purpose

a contrary aim

final cause

(philosophy) the end or purpose of a thing or process

sake

the purpose of achieving or obtaining

view

purpose; the phrase `with a view to’ means `with the intention of’ or `for the purpose of’

will

a fixed and persistent intent or purpose

type of:

end, goal

the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
noun

the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose

“he is a man of
purpose”

synonyms:

determination

see moresee less

types:

show 6 types…

hide 6 types…

doggedness, perseverance, persistence, persistency, pertinacity, tenaciousness, tenacity

persistent determination

indefatigability, indefatigableness, tirelessness

tireless determination

diligence, industriousness, industry

persevering determination to perform a task

assiduity, assiduousness, concentration

great and constant diligence and attention

sedulity, sedulousness

the quality of being constantly diligent and attentive

studiousness

diligent study

type of:

firmness, firmness of purpose, resoluteness, resolution, resolve

the trait of being resolute

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘purpose’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Look up purpose for the last time

Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the
words you need to know.

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Get started

Источник

Noun

Shocking as it is, more than a month after the hurricane hit, New Orleans is still, for all practical purposes, a ghost town.

—Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005

By the time … American aid began pouring in, to all intents and purposes the war had already been lost.

—Neil L. Jamieson, Understanding Vietnam, 1993

But wartime wage and price controls prevented companies from competing for the available talent by means of increased salaries. They had to compete with fringe benefits instead, and free health insurance was tailor-made for this purpose.

—John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, May — June 1992

His purpose is to realize himself, to live the fullest possible life, and he is responsible for this, like all men, regardless of how society treats him.

—Shelby Steele, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 1990

The purpose of the new resort is to attract more tourists.

The loans are small but they serve a good purpose.

Sometimes his life seemed to lack purpose or meaning.

We started work again with a renewed sense of purpose.

Verb

I have not purposed to misrepresent this boy in any way, for what little indignation he excited in me soon passed and left nothing behind it but compassion.

—Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880

The child then explained that they had left the races on the first day, and were travelling to the next town on that road, where they purposed to spend the night.

—Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop, 1841

I’ve been purposing to fix that thing for some time now.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Alabama Independent Schools Association, private schools in the state do not receive any public funding for school safety purposes, but many have used their resources to develop plans, hire security personnel and conduct staff trainings.

—Savannah Tryens-fernandes | Stryens-fernandes@al.com, al, 31 Mar. 2023

While those components differ depending on the manufacturer, the fact sheet from Mott breaks down what is in its shots and explains the purposes and risks.

—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2023

Briefly: The additions of RHP Ian Kennedy ($2.25 million salary) and OF Travis Jankowski ($1.25 million) to the opening day roster pushed the Rangers payroll for luxury tax purposes to $217 million.

—Evan Grant, Dallas News, 30 Mar. 2023

California is ground zero for AV testing in the US, with over 50 companies licensed to operate autonomous vehicles for testing purposes in the state.

—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 30 Mar. 2023

Bags used specifically for infant care purposes.

—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 30 Mar. 2023

Ultimate Girls Trip shows us that the suspicion that some Housewives are storylining for survival purposes isn’t just a fan conspiracy theory.

—Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2023

Yesterday’s mass call for a six-month moratorium on the development of next-generation A.I. models, for safety purposes, has not elicited much response from the companies at the center of the fray, such as OpenAI, Microsoft and Google.

—David Meyer, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2023

Tax credits for conservation donations: People could earn a tax credit for land or easements donated to the state for conservation purposes.

—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2023

What might purpose present to you?

—Brianna Carter, SPIN, 9 Feb. 2022

The GOP spending offer should be to re-purpose the $700 billion from Democrats’ March bill that CBO says won’t be spent until after 2021.

—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 20 May 2021

In her solo show at the Arts Club of Chicago, artist Jessi Reaves examines and dismantles purpose, function, duality, and cohesion.

—Camille Okhio, ELLE Decor, 3 Feb. 2023

For now, Wooten can only reminisce about the stability and purpose her profession once provided.

—Lautaro Grinspan, ajc, 23 Dec. 2022

New York has resorted to drastic measures to house the migrants, going so far as to re-purpose some hotels.

—Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2022

Further, about 80% of the materials processed by Rumpke are sold to companies in the Midwest who re-purpose them into consumer goods.

—Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, 18 June 2022

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the financial industry, where dollars—not purpose—still appear to be king.

—Lance Lambert, Fortune, 24 May 2022

PĀPR Cosmetics’ multi-purpose Everything Stick can be used on lips, elbows, eyes and anywhere else on the body that could use hydration.

—Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2022

See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘purpose.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Источник

Contexts ▼

Noun

An intention for which something is hoped to be accomplished

Having a strong commitment to a cause

The reason for which something or someone is used or suited for

… more ▼

Noun

▲

An intention for which something is hoped to be accomplished

goal

aim

objective

idea

intent

intention

function

object

plan

point

basis

cause

direction

grounds

impetus

justification

mission

motivation

motive

occasion

ambition

aspiration

hope

reason

target

design

desire

determination

expectation

focus

meaning

principle

project

prospect

rationality

scheme

significance

view

bourn

bourne

dream

end

ideal

premeditation

pretension

proposal

scope

thing

wish

destination

grail

holy grail

Holy Grail

mind

nirvana

plot

terminus

big idea

ulterior motive

whole idea

why and wherefore

whyfor

mark

resolve

use

inclination

drive

raison d’être

incentive

inducement

resolution

desired result

vision

rationale

inspiration

pursuit

urge

passion

value

longing

instigation

object of desire

stimulation

concern

determinant

end in view

want

incitement

interest

utility

fancy

yearning

sense

causation

driving force

craving

hankering

impulse

excuse

endeavor^US

endeavour^UK

ground

catalyst

consideration

consequence

object of the exercise

advantage

source

will

task

worth

account

spur

usefulness

belief

disposition

name of the game

incitation

stimulus

need

hunger

pretext

desideratum

stimulant

persuasion

duty

provocation

push

preference

influence

end goal

where one is heading

initiative

role

fire in the belly

validity

course

mainspring

planning

notion

call

impact

stimulator

substance

thinking

origin

foundation

attraction

relevance

explanation

importance

calling

antecedent

causality

requirement

vocation

warrant

lust

encouragement

enticement

carrot

necessity

thought

job

thirst

ache

desired outcome

itch

yen

propensity

predilection

predisposition

proclivity

compulsion

boost

pie in the sky

penchant

ambitiousness

responsibility

motivating force

charge

action

affair

business

reason why

obligation

go-getting

ultimate object

ethos

philosophy

purport

drift

spot

bullseye

daydream

telos

end purpose

butt

where one’s heading

compass

bull’s-eye

the why and wherefore

cynosure

desired effect

milestone

raison d’etre

appeal

eagerness

bull’s eye

emulation

loadstar

polestar

lodestar

gist

charm

want-to

fire in belly

essence

bearing

validness

cogency

fascination

demand

sake

preoccupation

outline

right

prompting

logic

benefit

care

bent

leaning

overview

prize

impulsion

goad

final cause

agenda

solution

summary

big picture

central theme

castles in the air

good

nuts and bolts

tendency

bucket list

effect

efficacy

something in mind

end game

snapshot

sketch

upshot

carrot and stick

beginning

root

fountain

fount

generator

choice

application

operation

capacity

hidden motive

hidden agenda

lure

bait

vested interest

score to settle

special interest

sweetener

yeast

momentum

option

requisite

insistence

exhortation

allurement

douceur

premium

essential

zeal

yearn

relish

obsession

spring

temptation

shot in the arm

come-on

appetite

pining

whim

chief motive

chief reason

impelling cause

prime mover

motive force

magnitude

moment

weight

momentousness

occupation

avail

wont

way

good judgment

case

significancy

weightiness

argument

deliberation

defence^UK

defense^US

apology

venture

commission

stunt

exploit

errand

act

deed

burden

undertaking

feat

matter

accomplishment

piece of business

racket

brief

chore

activity

engagement

doing

work

contract

enterprise

exercise

gig

process

assignment

forethought

plotting

prearrangement

apologia

vindication

velleity

liking

discretion

pleasure

command

wherefore

authority

subject

accounting

why

pre-planning

scheming

rationalization^US

exposition

seriousness

gravity

noteworthiness

note

creed

rationalisation^UK

driver

story

genesis

premise

underpinning

cogitation

reflection

predetermination

tenet

causal agent

whys and wherefores

principal element

chief ingredient

advance planning

calculation

import

coldness

contemplation

cold-bloodedness

good reason

mens rea

criminal intent

malice prepense

malice aforethought

conviction

principles

faith

more ❯

“The purpose of this study is to document the structure of a warm front in northeast Europe.”

Noun

▲

Having a strong commitment to a cause

commitment

resolve

purposefulness

resolution

determination

persistence

dedication

devotion

drive

perseverance

tenacity

backbone

confidence

conviction

enterprise

enthusiasm

initiative

mettle

push

resoluteness

steadfastness

thrust

ardor^US

ardour^UK

eagerness

fervency

fervor^US

fervour^UK

firmness

gusto

passion

zest

ambitiousness

avidity

constancy

decidedness

decisiveness

faith

fire

incentive

keenness

pertinaciousness

pertinacity

pertinence

spirit

tenaciousness

verve

will

zeal

firmness of purpose

get-up-and-go

single-mindedness

doggedness

grit

fortitude

pluck

stubbornness

willpower

obstinacy

decision

determinedness

will power

spine

granite

guts

stick-to-itiveness

indefatigability

earnestness

perseveration

spunk

courage

spiritedness

staunchness

staying power

strong-mindedness

purposiveness

stickability

boldness

bravery

strength of character

stick-to-it-iveness

courageousness

heart

toughness

pluckiness

energy

Sitzfleisch

fixity of purpose

intentness

stamina

braveness

intrepidity

obstinance

moxie

strength of will

stout-heartedness

nerve

iron will

valor^US

relentlessness

intention

dauntlessness

seriousness

volition

character

obduracy

endurance

obdurateness

indomitability

inflexibility

design

intension

valour^UK

feeling

bulldog spirit

intensity

vigor^US

vigour^UK

exuberance

ardency

diligence

manfulness

application

aim

assiduity

objective

undertaking

sedulousness

assiduousness

intransigence

gutsiness

stoicism

assurance

tirelessness

certitude

resilience

patience

fearlessness

hardihood

strength

insistence

continuance

sticktoitiveness

immovability

certainty

moral fiber^US

assertiveness

conclusiveness

emphaticalness

fixed purpose

emotion

toughness of spirit

intestinal fortitude

power

Dunkirk spirit

inner strength

moral fibre^UK

vitality

strength of mind

sense of purpose

sentiment

vengeance

vivaciousness

rapture

ecstasy

animation

vehemence

zestfulness

strong emotion

affectivity

excitement

affection

surety

dourness

forcefulness

sedulity

hardiness

project

conclusion

pursuance

dogmatism

vim

durability

resistance

urgency

self-confidence

bouncebackability

ruggedness

pledge

stiff upper lip

bottle

stomach

balls

sitzfleisch

promise

intent

positiveness

mind

zealousness

survival skills

ability to bounce back

aspiration

plan

authoritativeness

definiteness

gallantry

greatheartedness

heroism

daring

doughtiness

intrepidness

daringness

prowess

virtue

stoutness

fire in the belly

vow

self-control

self-discipline

self-restraint

pecker

self-mastery

choice

oath

restraint

self-possession

motivation

self-command

self-containment

continence

self-government

persistency

importunity

pushiness

urge

pining

temperament

discipline

velleity

yearning

attitude

ambition

willfulness

liking

fancy

longing

craving

appetite

hankering

passionateness

delirium

oomph

peppiness

intenseness

sprightliness

heart’s desire

fondness

love

thirst

desire

lust

relish

hunger

inclination

itch

attraction

warmth

fanaticism

infatuation

partiality

predilection

propensity

proclivity

conscientiousness

mania

taste

wholeheartedness

readiness

wish

devotedness

avidness

striving

appreciation

bias

fixation

frenzy

fascination

craze

concupiscence

preference

eroticism

lustfulness

shine

doting

favour^UK

favor^US

libido

lechery

weakness

love affair

impatience

effort

lasciviousness

amativeness

fierceness

soft spot

salacity

erotism

desirousness

prurience

libidinousness

pruriency

cupidity

covetousness

need

motive

greed

solicitude

ravenousness

voracity

rapaciousness

admiration

steadiness

dynamism

hustle

penchant

fieriness

affinity

bent

pep

dash

proneness

tendency

leaning

zip

zing

predisposition

use

thing

palate

attachment

enjoyment

industry

endeavour^UK

endeavor^US

sincerity

labor^US

labour^UK

alacrity

willingness

liveliness

ebullience

yen

obsessiveness

concentration

interest

overenthusiasm

emotionalism

deliberation

heat

over-enthusiasm

unfailingness

abidingness

adherence

fervidness

empressement

hots

action

aggressiveness

adoration

hot-bloodedness

gumption

aggression

hard work

esprit

punch

emulation

amorousness

obsession

captivation

disposition

self-motivation

enchantment

adulation

goal-setting

go-getting

favoritism^US

crush

favouritism^UK

fire in belly

entrepreneurial spirit

get up and go

right stuff

what it takes

a sense of purpose

horniness

salaciousness

letch

lustihood

fixedness

strong interest

lech

depth

attention

voraciousness

eye

engrossment

industriousness

intense desire

attentiveness

work

bag

besottedness

toil

struggle

study

prepossession

monomania

appetency

susceptibility

trouble

travail

cup of tea

fandom

pains

aching

fetish

care

madness

vivacity

sap

brio

life

busyness

exhilaration

gaiety

fever

mirth

focus

flare

joyfulness

zap

activity

élan

flame

impetuosity

fury

glow

joy

blood, sweat and tears

anxiety

keen interest

white heat

red heat

monk mode

amour

reverence

mash

lovingness

enamoredness

committedness

militancy

pleasure

tooth

sympathy

dazzle

dispatch

bustle

what-it-takes

more ❯

“They moved about with great purpose as though a simple turn to the left or to the right might finally take them where they wanted to go.”

Noun

▲

The reason for which something or someone is used or suited for

reason

function

advantage

benefit

goal

good

object

objective

role

outcome

result

raison d’être

utility

avail

behoof

business

capacity

duty

effect

job

merit

part

place

position

task

usefulness

value

work

worth

gain

mission

use

assignment

mark

profit

responsibility

return

target

office

service

post

calling

charge

concern

undertaking

niche

commission

situation

province

aim

slot

contribution

groove

serviceableness

interest

reason for being

ideal position

operation

appointment

pursuit

vocation

errand

activity

quest

exercise

hand

effectiveness

chore

help

assistance

efficacy

account

occupation

involvement

detail

connection

serviceability

mileage

bit

obligation

reward

pigeon

billet

berth

aid

power

participation

brief

department

sphere

mantle

say

satisfaction

favour^UK

favor^US

side

party

guise

stint

posture

act

piece

game

station

execution

welfare

ease

behalf

cause

faction

labor^US

labour^UK

endeavour^UK

endeavor^US

job title

expedition

trip

practice

art

craft

focus

servitude

industry

chores

project

rôle

commitment

process

métier

setup

practicality

enterprise

journey

trust

end

enjoyment

comfort

profession

lifework

trade

desirability

employment

impact

influence

helpfulness

job description

person’s task

potency

importance

magnitude

significance

well-being

action

bag

behavior^US

thing

faculty

relevance

upside

strength

meaning

behaviour^UK

implication

goodness

sense

quality

superiority

consequence

bang for the buck

bearing

import

point

substance

strong point

line of country

asset

virtue

plus

perk

advantageousness

prosperity

godsend

prize

bonus

good point

boon

fortune

blessing

edge

sake

plus point

vantage

worthiness

success

percentage

lucrativeness

greatness

meaningfulness

privilege

excellence

caliber^US

stature

calibre^UK

amenity

gift

gratification

estimation

productiveness

functionality

viability

fitness

profitability

weal

productivity

fringe benefit

windfall

remuneration

added extra

betterment

positive impact

value proposition

selling point

perks

cream

growth

note

appeal

distinction

allure

meritoriousness

remunerability

validity

class

eminence

attractiveness

credit

furtherance

stead

gratuity

advancement

valuation

endowment

moment

talent

attraction

premium

perfection

additional benefit

indulgence

strengthening

benediction

nutritional

happiness

health

nutritious

egg in one’s beer

perquisite

gravy

cost-effectiveness

chance of success

potential gain

saving grace

offering

appealing aspect

redeeming feature

redeeming quality

strong suit

unique selling point

attractive aspect

good fortune

health-giving

commonwealth

nourishing

pull

lure

draw

convenience

grade

applicability

excuse

call

grounds

significancy

start

improvement

appropriateness

justification

excellent

beauty

good thing

feature

inspiration

prosperousness

wellness

robustness

wholeness

soundness

healthiness

wholesomeness

successfulness

preference

protection

leverage

positive effect

beneficial effect

useful effect

beneficial impact

positive influence

money-spinner

moneymaker

rainmaker

killing

more ❯

“Our packaging has been designed for the purpose of keeping the contents sterile and reducing cost.”

Noun

▲

A strategy worked out in advance to achieve a goal

plan

method

idea

intention

procedure

deal

strategy

suggestion

proposal

disposition

initiative

proposition

action

angle

approach

course

expedient

formula

maneuver^US

manoeuvre^UK

means

measure

plot

ploy

policy

recipe

ruse

shift

tack

tactic

tactics

thought

undertaking

way

wile

animus

arrangement

gimmick

machination

methodology

scenario

submission

contrivance

projection

stratagem

system

treatment

trick

game

pattern

workflow

big picture

course of action

game plan

master plan

plan of action

roadmap

action plan

goal-setting

order

design

structure

planning

form

organization^US

regularity

classification

orderliness

organisation^UK

systematization^US

systemization

systematisation^UK

methodization

collation

categorization

codification

tidiness

uniformity

symmetry

neatness

regulation

logic

discipline

routine

precision

scheme

programme^UK

program^US

project

blueprint

move

technique

process

device

artifice

practice

dodge

ground plan

manner

modus operandi

subterfuge

setup

style

gambit

enterprise

line

road map

operation

line of action

venture

stunt

fashion

campaign

mode

wheeze

activity

mechanism

line of attack

intrigue

exploit

effort

proceeding

regimen

step

pursuit

route

act

recommendation

option

motion

path

racket

exercise

mission

bid

red tape

presentation

scam

jig

manoeuvring^UK

outline

how

maneuvering^US

fetch

custom

affair

play

tender

endeavour^UK

protocol

brainchild

deed

deception

caper

crusade

wangle

endeavor^US

avenue

direction

con

alternative

task

thing

offer

conspiracy

sleight

shenanigan

schedule

channels

feint

lurk

layout

proffer

adventure

attempt

overture

resort

recourse

application

road

engagement

invention

medium

expediency

charge

agenda

flimflam

draft^US

draught^UK

steps

stopgap

business

juggle

knack

refuge

quest

expedition

try

feat

modus

theory

essay

work

wrinkle

hazard

transaction

creation

big idea

choice

manifesto

hoax

aim

guidelines

shenanigans

conception

grand design

job

instrument

resource

innovation

solution

plans

request

pitch

manipulation

rule

sequence

tool

machinations

agency

movement

management

drive

measures

fastie

coinage

administration

rules

makeshift

concoction

plan of attack

push

drill

concern

set of tactics

code

exploration

framework

experiment

striving

conduct

method of working

investment

gamble

secret plan

nuts and bolts

fraud

pet project

the book

instructions

manoeuvres^UK

prescription

cheat

maneuvers^US

demarche

shuffle

curveball

finesse

blind

deceit

advance

playbook

sham

cabal

entry

logistics

substitute

terms

rubric

possibility

series

position

assignment

model

rote

covin

spec

grift

goal

pretext

baby

evasion

vein

twist

attack

fix

objective

stance

proposed action

praxis

conditions

tenor

struggle

principle

brain child

coordination

schema

regime

formation

preparation

matter

escapade

plunge

trial

stake

flutter

cause

fling

duty

speculation

performance

how-to

set-up

series of measures

romp

risk

responsibility

commission

bit

sleight of hand

set of procedures

blitz

little game

series of steps

systematic process

cunning plan

best practice

standard operating procedure

booby trap

the numbers

leap in the dark

development

démarche

argument

craft

stages

story

joke

prank

subversion

standard procedure

variation

dispensation

bluff

map

set

contraption

appliance

behaviour^UK

agent

prototype

smokescreen

equivocation

vehicle

masquerade

methods

behavior^US

modality

gamesmanship

ministry

relief

instrumentation

convention

scene

object

organizing system

secret scheme

vision statement

touch

definite plan

happening

mind-set

point of view

practise

set piece

ritual

crafty designs

agendum

march

white paper

slant

groove

tactical plan

working plan

strategic plan

mode of conduct

mode of behaviour

rite

what one is into

detailed plan

five-year plan

ways and means

devices

intentions

shot

habit

mission statement

campaigning

generalship

bait and switch

one-upmanship

parameters

flier

flyer

experience

notions

guideline

SOP

throw

peril

chance

stab

wager

jeopardy

crapshoot

voyage

apparatus

course of therapy

diet

cycle

occupation

interface

details

provisions

requirements

dogma

advice

test

rut

instrumentality

pet

commendation

stipulations

discovery

set of principles

fixed order

business enterprise

lockstep

bandwagon

logical order

frame of reference

orderly process

set of guidelines

set of channels

counsel

guiding principle

product

inspiration

specification

quick fix

logical process

source of

way of achieving

means of achieving

way of ensuring

means of ensuring

exhortation

likely cause of

condition

state

science

quality

tip

hint

genre

posture

wise

sort

book

type

kind

business plan

beaten path

obligation

outfit

interest

workings

M.O.

usual procedure

breakthrough

prompting

errand

basis

concept

moves

advancement

clue

instruction

opinion

wiles

bag

ballgame

trade

modus vivendi

API

theorem

method of functioning

method of operation

manner of working

rule of thumb

method of operating

mode of operation

wish

ambition

aspiration

burden

hope

pretension

accomplishment

function

ideal

piece of business

brief

holy grail

chore

doing

target

contract

desire

gig

intent

piece of advice

tip-off

way of doing things

trickery

swindle

collusion

game plans

battle plans

base

foundation

military science

bunco

pick

selection

follow through

script

synopsis

screenplay

summary

feeler

preparations

grounds

complot

running

treachery

rort

storyline

flanker

control

canard

provision

perfidy

frame

countermine

counterplot

treacherousness

disloyalty

trap

formularization

supervision

handling

loophole

rundown

sketch

fit-up

con trick

guidance

sharp practice

frame-up

scheduling

organizing^US

preparing

take-in

put-up job

résumé

diegesis

precis

bet

chosen

candidate

leadership

-gate

groundwork

devising

outlining

designing

drafting

structuring

prearrangement

controlling

managing

intendance

superintendency

superintendence

stewardship

government

masterminding

governance

orchestration

presidency

oversight

care

overseeing

organising^UK

prosecution

story line

carrying out

execution

wielding

working out

more ❯

Noun

▲

A person’s regular occupation, profession, or trade

vocation

job

profession

occupation

work

employment

trade

career

business

line

pursuit

position

craft

post

field

racket

thing

métier

role

game

function

office

sphere

art

mission

niche

province

lay

handicraft

lifework

speciality^UK

specialty^US

undertaking

dodge

duty

bag

day job

line of work

line of business

nine-to-five

walk of life

life’s work

life work

line of country

part

place

task

employ

grip

interest

calling

capacity

patronage

custom

way

walk

appointment

biz

livelihood

opening

situation

placement

vacancy

berth

connection

billet

what one is into

opportunity

slot

engagement

gig

skill

living

avocation

practice

forte

rat race

posting

chosen work

day gig

activity

service

area

metier

spot

grind

handcraft

stint

contract

daily grind

assignment

strong suit

long suit

handiwork

play

hang

enterprise

swindle

concern

field of expertise

expertise

competency

responsibility

experience

skillset

field of work

means of livelihood

competence

domain

arena

realm

venture

chosen career

priesthood

practise

employment status

hire

discipline

schtick

department

labor^US

labour^UK

tier

pigeonhole

following

setup

strong point

specialization^US

affair

source of income

means of support

station

commitment

obligation

moonlight

major

position of employment

source of revenue

gap

recruitment

hiring

specialisation^UK

means

faculty

career path

contracting

line of employment

cup of tea

vacant position

job opportunity

distinguishing feature

means of earning a living

means of earning one’s living

artisanship

craftwork

achievement

artifact^US

craftsmanship

result

ability

creation

product

artwork

production

design

workmanship

craftship

invention

artefact^UK

more ❯

Noun

▲

That to which any person or thing is destined

future

destiny

fate

fortune

doom

calling

prospects

expectations

chances

design

vocation

kismet

lot in life

prospect

likely advancement

likely improvement

likely success

lot

call

circumstance

due

inevitability

portion

expectation

objective

conclusion

predetermination

constellation

finality

happenstance

break

hereafter

dole

orlay

condition

horoscope

foreordination

nemesis

serendipity

ordinance

certainty

intent

intention

cup

wheel of fortune

world to come

lookout

view of the future

more ❯

Noun

▲

Morality, generally or collectively

good

dignity

morality

sense

value

virtue

class

excellence

ideal

merit

prerogative

probity

quality

rectitude

right

righteousness

uprightness

worth

benefit

advantage

utility

use

usefulness

gain

profit

helpfulness

substance

goodness

avail

effectiveness

efficacy

significance

service

point

assistance

importance

power

help

upside

aid

mileage

reason

strong point

serviceableness

effect

object

behoof

eminence

worthiness

mark

desirability

productiveness

functionality

edge

greatness

meaningfulness

consequence

relevance

strength

superiority

caliber^US

perks

account

calibre^UK

stature

estimation

vantage

serviceability

note

meaning

appeal

distinction

allure

meritoriousness

logic

validity

attractiveness

credit

gift

valuation

endowment

moment

percentage

talent

aim

motive

perfection

upshot

betterment

gratification

good judgment

function

improvement

grace

excellency

goal

appropriateness

boon

significancy

objective

role

result

outcome

raison d’être

work

capacity

place

business

task

position

job

part

duty

grade

arete

high quality

convenience

applicability

excuse

call

asset

fitness

grounds

favour^UK

justification

start

favor^US

mission

responsibility

return

assignment

target

practicality

impact

influence

potency

magnitude

implication

bearing

import

bang for the buck

more ❯

Noun

▲

A deliberate desire to behave in an unreasonable or unacceptable way

perversity

doggedness

obduracy

stubbornness

pertinacity

obstinacy

mulishness

willfulness

intransigence

bullheadedness

pertinaciousness

pigheadedness

hardheadedness

obstinateness

perverseness

tenacity

determination

contrariness

tenaciousness

wilfulness

refractoriness

waywardness

obstinance

unreasonableness

reluctance

awkwardness

capriciousness

contradictoriness

difficultness

frowardness

contradictiveness

contumacy

cussedness

pig-headedness

bloody-mindedness

wrong-headedness

obdurateness

opinionatedness

self-will

self-opinionatedness

recalcitrance

intractability

perseverance

persistence

single-mindedness

inflexibility

resolve

unyieldingness

defiance

firmness

intractableness

relentlessness

resolution

uncooperativeness

bull-headedness

strong-mindedness

resoluteness

steeliness

stiffness

rigidity

immovability

persistency

implacability

unmanageableness

steadfastness

conviction

bolshiness

insistence

stroppiness

contumaciousness

indiscipline

balkiness

unruliness

rebellion

cantankerousness

obstreperousness

rebelliousness

ungovernability

insubordination

disobedience

incorrigibility

indocility

sass

order

ungovernableness

audacity

untowardness

impugnment

factiousness

affront

defy

wildness

bravado

opposition

boldness

insolence

stump

dare

fractiousness

effrontery

call

brazenness

uncontrollableness

lip

provocation

spite

enjoinder

impudence

confrontation

recidivism

cartel

unmanageability

disorderliness

insurgence

insurgency

muster

gas

guts

temerity

command

contempt

summons

challenge

recalcitrancy

revolt

uncontrollability

back talk

big talk

hot air

throwing of the gauntlet

more ❯

Noun

▲

The quality of being pertinent

pertinence

applicability

bearing

relevance

appositeness

relevancy

aptness

connection

materiality

appropriateness

suitability

germaneness

importance

relatedness

congruity

consistency

significance

application

applicableness

function

value

concernment

pertinency

consequence

weight

use

practice

exercise

suitableness

fitness

propriety

relation

association

reference

appurtenance

rightness

import

linkage

seemliness

felicity

fittingness

properness

relationship

accordance

correspondence

liaison

meaning

felicitousness

happiness

kinship

affinity

relativity

congruence

correctness

timeliness

usefulness

appropriacy

becomingness

congruousness

opportuneness

convenience

well-suitedness

matter

substance

context

analogy

alliance

link

expedience

judiciousness

equitableness

regard

effectiveness

choiceness

bearing on

capability

readiness

preparedness

harmony

order

admissibility

patness

agreeableness

seasonableness

auspiciousness

compatibility

expediency

keeping

assimilation

accommodation

consonance

influence

impact

sway

effect

Noun

▲

Range of capabilities

functionality

performance

process

service

use

component

Noun

▲

A general meaning or character

tenor

drift

meaning

sense

theme

purport

substance

tendency

burden

intent

course

gist

import

intention

thread

trend

way

aim

direction

essence

message

mood

path

significance

spirit

thrust

character

flavor^US

flavour^UK

strain

vein

body

core

evolution

inclination

meat

nature

pith

run

stuff

tone

course of thought

implication

effect

intimation

interpretation

connotation

nuance

denotation

suggestion

allusion

end

idea

thesis

force

signification

point

focus

marrow

nub

upshot

short

temper

feeling

atmosphere

quintessence

ethos

feather

feel

mode

humor^US

heart

quality

soul

humour^UK

morale

climate

cheer

standard

vibe

principle

lifeblood

ambience

ethic

attitude

belief

disposition

timbre

prevailing tendency

fundamental nature

dominating characteristic

motivating force

state of mind

animating principle

frame of mind

content

nitty-gritty

bottom line

nuts and bolts

subject

matter

crux

kernel

keynote

subject matter

acceptation

significancy

name of the game

meat and potatoes

centerpiece^US

bearing

understanding

sum and substance

nucleus

root

centrepiece^UK

topic

sum

bull’s-eye

net

pivot

heart of the matter

nubbin

intendment

importance

relevance

nature of beast

definition

punch line

main idea

explanation

value

basis

question

consequence

motif

text

context

symbolization

moral

takeaway

score

main point

brass tacks

long and short

main theme

central idea

central theme

important point

lesson

precept

moment

summary

inference

argument

foundation

worth

fundamentals

essentials

basics

concern

magnitude

account

insinuation

subtext

proposition

kicker

view

viewpoint

case

prominence

central point

thought

salient point

key point

nature of the beast

take away

ideas

implications

motive

digest

conclusion

reason

rationale

hint

deeper meaning

sound bite

undertone

base

object

scope

undercurrent

centre^UK

essential point

design

circumstance

focal point

bottom

reference

overtone

the long and short

concise summary

cornerstone

statement

opinion

bedrock

center^US

subcurrent

underpinning

particular

hub

plot

important detail

key detail

main thing

key element

linchpin

essential part

most important point

crucial point

decisive point

the main reason

premise

issue

mainspring

hidden meaning

ABC

general meaning

general intention

line of reasoning

most important fact

concept

adage

teaching

maxim

meaningfulness

affair

line

secondary meaning

scenario

storyline

validity

quiddity

material

being

essentiality

power

soundness

business

problem

sermon

truism

moralism

saying

gravamen

staple

clout

concreteness

action

sequence

point at issue

matter in hand

through-line

basic principles

main ingredients

guts

dictum

rule

apophthegm

proverb

motto

aphorism

epigram

saw

anecdote

gnome

axiom

ABCs

sum total

train of thought

note

story line

weight

interest

urgency

use

impact

gravity

noteworthiness

seriousness

general picture

standing

merit

momentousness

notability

influence

exigency

graveness

rank

weightiness

eminence

distinction

prestige

extent

status

position

more ❯

Noun

▲

A project or undertaking, especially a bold or complex one

enterprise

venture

operation

pursuit

undertaking

activity

endeavour^UK

project

action

deed

exercise

move

task

act

affair

campaign

exploit

measure

mission

plan

programme^UK

proposition

scheme

adventure

concern

endeavor^US

expedition

interest

outfit

proceeding

proposal

caper

conception

effort

engagement

escapade

essay

experiment

exploration

feat

fling

flutter

idea

plunge

process

program^US

quest

stake

suggestion

wheeze

attempt

baby

bag

ballgame

cause

crusade

deal

gamble

game

hazard

investment

performance

risk

romp

setup

speculation

striving

stunt

thing

trade

try

work

plan of action

big idea

follow through

pet project

leap in the dark

push

movement

drive

maneuver^US

manoeuvre^UK

course of action

chance

crapshoot

flier

initiative

procedure

strategy

assignment

flyer

exertion

business

struggle

game plan

stab

step

throw

labour^UK

design

job

labor^US

shot

blueprint

trial

blitz

play

ground plan

toil

stratagem

system

tactic

contrivance

arrangement

commission

method

application

master plan

charge

bandwagon

line of action

experience

plot

device

industry

ploy

travail

occupation

ruse

happening

machination

tactics

shot in the dark

event

bid

maneuvering^US

manoeuvring^UK

road map

course

goal

wager

spec

implementation

bet

intention

coordination

doing

agenda

lottery

raffle

diligence

jeopardy

incident

hard work

juggernaut

occurrence

subterfuge

wile

scam

pains

earnestness

machinations

conspiracy

long shot

throw of the dice

racket

transaction

energy

proceedings

objective

mobilization^US

expedient

pass

foray

assay

lobby

antic

conscientiousness

crack

bash

voyage

battle

fight

determination

drill

leap

duty

trick

mobilisation^UK

errand

offer

responsibility

whack

whirl

brief

outline

dodge

artifice

toiling

policy

gambit

ambition

aim

matter

try-on

practice

random shot

accomplishment

formula

risky business

doggedness

recipe

pot luck

option

outside chance

con

fastie

best shot

elbow grease

toss up

set of tactics

fall of the cards

pig in a poke

dry run

secret plan

grand design

survey

object

entrada

march

what one is into

detail

post

dealings

deployment

hunch

peril

test

gambling

episode

business enterprise

shift

sham

emprise

contingency

craps game

pilgrimage

odyssey

crafty designs

cunning plan

set-up

potshot

scene

trip

time

endangerment

gest

achievement

speculative enterprise

risky venture

trouble

pursual

gruntwork

grind

drudgery

slog

exciting experience

industriousness

sweat

spin of the roulette wheel

iffy proposition

big chance

resolve

gesture

righteous cause

just cause

noble cause

good cause

virtuous cause

obligation

layout

pet

persistence

expenditure

while

stroke

execution

resolution

matter of chance

hunt

seeking

luck of the draw

flip of the coin

toss of the dice

turn of the wheel

demonstration

blow

shenanigans

shenanigan

appeal

organization^US

resoluteness

steadfastness

tenacity

wish

aspiration

burden

target

hope

contract

pretension

desire

function

ideal

piece of business

gig

holy grail

intent

chore

something done

dedication

commitment

brainchild

war

promotion

impetus

angle

graft

throes

cabal

organisation^UK

path

scenario

avenue

way

approach

manner

technique

methodology

steps

measures

agency

route

routine

mechanism

style

means

choice

regimen

conduct

uncertainty

resort

stopgap

praxis

behaviour^UK

mode

protocol

tack

line

possibility

alternative

procedures

reaction

response

modus operandi

mode of behaviour

behavior^US

red tape

mode of conduct

method of working

undertakings

acts

risky action

immediate action

blind bargain

gimmick

feint

jig

flimflam

fetch

sleight

deception

hoax

knack

intrigue

juggle

fraud

deceit

imposture

lurk

trickery

fake

grift

schlenter

swindle

sting

cheat

blind

pretence^UK

bunco

pretense^US

rort

bluff

flanker

twist

rig

con trick

confidence trick

trap

craft

chicanery

finesse

wangle

fix

map

frame-up

curveball

covin

leg-pull

roadmap

booby trap

little game

catch

evasion

canard

lie

hustle

smokescreen

misrepresentation

cunning

pretext

craftiness

duplicity

snare

chicane

joke

workflow

schedule

decoy

treachery

instrument

sport

manipulation

playbook

prank

solution

sharp practice

Trojan horse

spoof

secret

imposition

gamesmanship

snow job

demarche

shuffle

sleight of hand

switch

big picture

series

order

sequence

put-up job

action plan

plan of attack

series of measures

line of attack

masquerade

fakery

kicker

sell

humbug

planning

ambush

loophole

subversion

whitewash

cunningness

improvisation

preliminary design

invention

falsehood

cover

delusion

distortion

bit

definite plan

sellout

clever move

bait and switch

one-upmanship

draft^US

draught^UK

secret scheme

tactical plan

working plan

strategic plan

proposed action

story

red herring

standard procedure

double-dealing

rip-off

oldest trick in the book

dirty trick

sweet talk

soft soap

dirty work

smoke and mirrors

loss-leader

shtick

best practice

white paper

vision statement

mission statement

disposition

set piece

jugglery

cheating

skullduggery

guile

jiggery-pokery

hanky-panky

legerdemain

skulduggery

prototype

thought

submission

animus

jest

aid

fun

apparatus

publicity device

eye-catching novelty

counterfeit

fixture

artfulness

slyness

treatment

projection

form

model

direction

fashion

how-to

mind-set

point of view

practise

pattern

phoney^UK

quiz

flim-flam

phony^US

dido

collusion

beguilement

dishonesty

monkeyshines

lure

dissimulation

horseplay

slant

monkey business

allurement

scheming

jive

road

illusion

detailed plan

five-year plan

moves

manoeuvres^UK

plans

wiles

logistics

stall

complot

maneuvers^US

hokum

bilk

ride

shuck

game plans

battle plans

perfidy

frame

countermine

counterplot

treacherousness

disloyalty

military science

goal-setting

fast one

con game

fast shuffle

mare’s nest

cover-up

fit-up

confidence game

-gate

more ❯

Noun

▲

Energy or effort expended towards an endeavor

effort

exertion

work

endeavor^US

endeavour^UK

trouble

energy

force

application

labour^UK

stress

strain

sweat

toil

striving

struggle

graft

labor^US

muscle

pains

power

travail

bother

expenditure

industry

moil

slog

venture

while

battle

conation

conatus

determination

discipline

exercise

pull

push

resolution

strength

strife

tension

welly

yakka

elbow grease

hard graft

hard yakka

blood, sweat and tears

old college try

sweat of one’s brow

hard work

grind

drudgery

toiling

diligence

donkey work

fuss

hassle

drudge

blood, sweat, and tears

donkeywork

undertaking

service

inconvenience

donkey-work

attempt

slavery

pain

fatigue

bustle

activity

enterprise

earnestness

gruntwork

drive

thought

care

crusade

campaign

pursuit

trial

assiduousness

rigor^US

ado

attention

industriousness

conscientiousness

hardship

persistence

doggedness

struggling

labouring^UK

rigour^UK

throes

drag

occupation

laboring^US

operation

suffering

spadework

hard labour

hard slog

one’s all

one’s level best

responsibility

charge

control

resolve

disruption

resoluteness

steadfastness

tenacity

movement

doing

perseverance

employment

oomph

duty

chore

painstaking

slogging

slaving

toils

value

elbow juice

physical effort

hard labor

manual labor

salt mines

grit

intensity

action

assiduity

back-breaking task

labour of Hercules

backbreaking work

nine-to-five

Herculean task

hard pull

load

tears

pangs

trials and tribulations

adversity

drain

encumbrance

attempts

dirty work

scut work

thankless task

grunt work

ordeal

problem

tribulation

burden

agony

torture

test

difficulty

millstone

uphill battle

uphill struggle

anguish

tough grind

difficult task

long haul

tall order

tough assignment

weight

nightmare

more ❯

Noun

▲

The freedom or will to decide or choose, or that which has been chosen

volition

will

discretion

choice

autonomy

preference

wish

determination

liberty

choosing

druthers

accord

election

decision

willingness

conation

mind

desire

intention

inclination

resolution

free will

self-determination

conscious agency

say so

option

pick

selection

way

alternative

prerogative

freedom of choice

judgment^US

judgement^UK

freedom

opportunity

independence

licence

license

power

free choice

possibility

franchise

privilege

right

course of action

right to choose

power to choose

free decision

liberty to choose

one’s discretion

voluntary decision

one’s own choice

one’s own will

own say so

assent

consideration

designation

balloting

right of refusal

fancy

personal choice

first choice

cup of tea

pleasure

liking

disposition

predilection

facility

latitude

scope

leeway

freeness

self-sufficiency

own sweet way

person’s full intent and purpose

non-coercion

power of choice

non-compulsion

carte blanche

non-confinement

elbow room

free rein

ability

flexibility

entitlement

authorization^US

run

one’s initiative

free hand

one’s choice

free scope

full scope

authorisation^UK

free play

free course

claim

authority

due

birthright

sanction

advantage

permission

more ❯

Noun

▲

The utilization of something

employment

use

application

exercise

utilisation^UK

utilization^US

implementation

usage

adoption

onboarding

action

appliance

exercising

exploitation

operation

usance

using

agency

exertion

function

handling

interaction

play

working

activity

disposition

interplay

motion

putting into operation

using something

practice

discharge

applying

execution

enactment

administration

prosecution

accomplishment

praxis

fulfilment^UK

fulfillment^US

carrying out

putting into practice

deployment

performance

enjoyment

pursuit

capitalization

manipulation

management

enforcement

imposition

effect

control

mobilization^US

effecting

mobilisation^UK

active

realization^US

expenditure

commission

fulfilling

pursuance

bringing to bear

effectuation

perpetration

realisation^UK

carrying through

movement

indulgence

functioning

spending

running

administering

law

consumption

maneuvering^US

treatment

manoeuvring^UK

act

discipline

routine

tradition

habit

ritual

convention

custom

achievement

contrivance

performing

operationalization

utilizing^US

milking

utilising^UK

making use

making the most of

making use of

capitalization on

putting to use

trading upon

cashing in on

using to good advantage

more ❯

Verb

▲

To intend or plan to do something

intend

aim

mean

plan

commit

expect

want

resolve

aspire

consider

contemplate

decide

determine

look

meditate

propose

purport

have a mind

have in mind

have plans

have the intention

ponder

pursue

set out

think of

bid for

commit oneself

have a mind to

have in view

make up one’s mind

make up your mind

set your sights on

think to

work towards

design

calculate

allow

wish

desire

strive

scheme

have every intention

envisage

endeavour^UK

endeavor^US

anticipate

plot

try

be resolved

foresee

envision

premeditate

seek

mind

count on

hope

attempt

make plans

angle

essay

target

reckon on

aspire to

expect to

schedule

conceive

covet

insinuate

prearrange

project

set up

bargain for

say to oneself

tell oneself

conspire

mean to

aim at

focus

arrange

orchestrate

organize^US

have the objective of

aim for

struggle

aim to

seek to

prepare

be eager

organise^UK

zoom in on

zero in on

attend

take care

await

destine

earmark

ordain

devote

consign

indicate

think

be looking

be going

be determined

be plotting

have resolved

have set out

look forward

hope to

figure on

think about

look ahead

undertake

start out

agree

preset

decide upon

settle upon

more ❯

“I purpose to go grocery shopping after dropping the kids off at school.”

Verb

▲

To carry out a plan with a specific purpose in mind

design

intend

aim

devise

contrive

plan

tailor

fashion

make fitting

adjust

adapt

propose

purport

conceive

construct

fit

prepare

shape

gear

equip

mean

destine

orient

ready

organize^US

organise^UK

arrange

fix

chart

frame

draft^US

calculate

choreograph

project

blueprint

budget

draught^UK

set up

work out

map out

get ready

lay out

jack up

settle on

scheme out

strategize about

schedule

determine

decide

settle

set

scheme

resolve

establish

direct

quarterback

coordinate

manage

make preparations for

agree to

come to terms about

make plans for

pull things together

pencil in

fix up

prepare for

iron out

come to terms

make plans

make arrangements for

set stage

agree on

shape up

come to an agreement

formulate

assemble

produce

compose

develop

make

fabricate

supply

edit

craft

lay

concoct

form

cast

outfit

prep

perfect

furnish

accoutre

groom

put together

appoint

endow

anticipate

think up

turn out

make ready

work up

draw up

make provision

get up

build up

smooth the way

make up

put in order

fit out

fill in

more ❯

Verb

▲

To forecast the future or the fate of something in advance

destine

fate

doom

ordain

appoint

design

devote

intend

predetermine

preordain

reserve

assign

decree

earmark

allot

consecrate

foredoom

foreordain

predestine

decide

dedicate

determine

mark out

prearrange

preform

doom to

consign

predestinate

condemn

chance

issue

effect

sentence

prescribe

mean

destinate

foretell

curse

guarantee

sound the death knell

bless

designate

will

suit

make

bind

foreshadow

encode

predispose

program^US

fix

preplan

foredetermine

programme^UK

set

schedule

predoom

mark someone out for

Verb

▲

To reach a decision or recommendation

decide

determine

choose

resolve

opt

conclude

elect

aim

decree

establish

figure

pick

plan

reach

rule

agree

cinch

guess

name

select

settle

take

vote

adopt

award

conjecture

mediate

poll

surmise

will

come to a decision

go for

make a decision

make up your mind

reach a conclusion

reach a decision

reach decision

settle on

settle upon

arrive at conclusion

cast the die

come to agreement

come to conclusion

come to decision

commit oneself

draw a conclusion

fix on

fix upon

form opinion

go down line

have final word

have in mind

have the intention

make up one’s mind

take a stand

call shots

make your mind up

settle on a plan of action

come to a conclusion

end with

commit

undertake

intend

propose

take a decision

come to the conclusion

tell oneself

say to oneself

remain firm

make a point of

prefer

decide on

pick out

single out

plump

optate

judge

make decision

feel disposed

appoint

make up your mind on

opt for

weigh

identify

agree on

take a stand on

reach a decision on

make a decision on

come to a decision on

consider

come to a conclusion on

commit oneself to

sift out

make a choice on

deliberate on

come to an agreement on

ponder

mark

cull

plump for

see fit

pitch on

make a selection

plump on

exercise choice

more ❯

Verb

▲

To apply great and continuous effort

endeavour^UK

endeavor^US

strive

struggle

toil

labour^UK

labor^US

strain

work

drudge

slave

sweat

slog

moil

hustle

travail

plough^UK

plow^US

plod

grind

push

apply

exert oneself

peg away

beaver away

work hard

try hard

make every effort

apply oneself

go all out

bang away

make an effort

bend over backwards

slog away

knock oneself out

bust a gut

go for broke

go for it

do your utmost

take pains

pour it on

be at pains

move heaven and earth

do your best

give it your all

give it your best shot

hammer away

make an all-out effort

do your damnedest

have a crack

rupture yourself

break your neck

do one’s best

set out

old college try

work hard to

jump through hoops

dig deep

dig deeper

give something one’s best shot

work at

grub

plug

tug

hump

dig away

plug away

try

spare no effort

work like a Trojan

pull out all the stops

kill oneself

put yourself out

graft

drive

do all one can

sweat blood

lean over backwards

work like a dog

knuckle down

exert yourself

keep at it

bear down

push oneself

attempt

keep your nose to the grindstone

work your fingers to the bone

essay

fall over backwards

slave away

assay

make a great effort

buckle down

persevere

work day and night

go for the doctor

give your all

beaver

aim

bullock

break one’s back

keep your head down

undertake

grind away

seek

scramble

plod away

fight

trudge

battle

make a supreme effort

do all you can

grub away

do one’s darnedest

persist

leave no stone unturned

work oneself to the bone

bust chops

try as hard as one can

put one’s back into something

aspire

venture

jockey

exert

scrabble

hammer

lumber

go hard

stagger

overwork

grapple

skivvy

schlepp

muck

show dedication

study hard

be industrious

show commitment

be diligent

be assiduous

take on

have a crack at

try one’s hardest

put one’s back into it

dig

buckle to

go ham

devote yourself

commit oneself

offer

soldier on

get stuck in

push yourself

make effort

plough through

use some elbow grease

drive oneself

go the whole nine yards

work one’s socks off

sweat away

work your guts out

break sweat

plug along

plough away

give something one’s all

go all-out

dig in

try my best

peg along

burn the candle at both ends

carry on

work like a slave

give all one’s got

go hammer and tongs

give best shot

drag oneself

take care

take great pains

bang on

vie

suffer

tend

have a swing at

make a run at

have a shot at

have one’s nose to grindstone

trawl

soldier

wade

endure

toll

campaign

withstand

go all-out for

devote

pound

perform

trail

peg

work very hard

overwork oneself

stand up to

commit

give

tax

pitch in

acquit oneself

grind out

plod along

empty the tank

move mountains

put up a fight against

go to war

go all out for

do one’s durnedest

dedicate

oppress

overtax

punish

overexert

work fingers to bone

work one’s nuts off

head-down

proceed laboriously

keep nose to grindstone

go back to the salt mines

keep going

press on

try very hard

drive oneself to the limit

graft away

make a special effort

go out of the way

take special pains

try your best

address

concentrate

flog

strain every nerve

push oneself to the limit

bend

direct

work one’s butt off

peg away at

apply oneself to

compete

contend

study

give it a fly

have a go

have a stab

take it on oneself

have a bash

have a shot

give it a burl

tackle

apply to

pull out all stops

give old college try

put one’s back in it

put one’s shoulder to the wheel

hit the ball

have a go at

try for

give it all you’ve got

be attentive

pay attention

shoot for

put in effort

have a stab at

put effort

apply yourself

give it a whirl

go the limit

go for the jugular

put in one hundred percent

give one hundred percent

give it all one has

dive in

leave nothing in the tank

put it all on the line

lay it all on the line

go all in

put one’s heart and soul into it

put pedal to the metal

put the pedal to the metal

get down to it

put in work

more ❯

Verb

▲

To devise or come up with (an idea or plan)

conceive

create

design

form

develop

devise

formulate

contrive

invent

originate

brainstorm

coin

conceit

dream

frame

ideate

produce

cogitate

evolve

hatch

spitball

elaborate

realise^UK

realize^US

dream up

think of

think up

come up with

conjure up

cook up

draw up

make up

trump up

forge

pioneer

spark

make

fashion

discover

compose

fabricate

concoct

innovate

manufacture

ponder

speculate

picture

ruminate

project

visualize^US

imagine

visualise^UK

envision

envisage

turn out

spark off

construct

build

conceptualize^US

mold^US

conceptualise^UK

mould^UK

head trip

cultivate

make up off the top of one’s head

think outside the box

image

draft^US

outline

put together

carve out

lay out

initiate

bring

decide

plan

throw together

brew

draught^UK

drum up

start up

throw up

put up

work on

hammer out

plot

inaugurate

model

crank out

cobble together

tailor

get

carry out

run up

choreograph

arrange

obtain

grind out

churn out

determine

strategize

thrash out

author

generate

mastermind

spawn

execute

mint

bear

fangle

bring into being

knock off

toss off

more ❯

Verb

▲

To have as one’s goal

pursue

seek

court

try for

aim at

aim for

attempt

push towards

quest after

search for

strive for

aspire to

be intent on

work towards

work for

work toward

go out for

have as an objective

have a go at

have as a goal

go for

go after

target

seek out

try to obtain

pull out all the stops for

go all-out for

set your sights on

home in on

solicit

ask for

choose

select

attack

earmark

decide on

focus on

fix on

pick out

single out

	Find more words!


Use * for blank tiles (max 2) Advanced Search Advanced Search
Use * for blank spaces Advanced Search
Advanced Word Finder

Related Words and Phrases

purposeful

purposeless

purposefulness

purposely

purposefully

purposive

purposively

purposing

purposed

purposiveness

purposedly

purposelessly

purposelessness

purposes

purposivenesses

TRY USING purpose

See how your sentence looks with different synonyms.

How to use purpose in a sentence

SYNONYM OF THE DAY

OCTOBER 26, 1985

WORDS RELATED TO PURPOSE

ambition
aspiration
course
desideratum
design
desire
direction
end
intent
intention
mark
object
objective
plan
purpose
scheme
target
where one is heading
wish

address
angle
aspire
attempt
cast
concentrate
contemplate
covet
design
direct
endeavor
essay
fix
focus
intend
level
mean
plan
propose
purpose
set one’s sights on
sight
slant
steer
strive
target
train
try
want
wish
zero in on
zoom in

addressing
angling
aspiring
attempting
casting
concentrating
contemplating
coveting
designing
directing
endeavoring
essaying
fixing
focusing
intending
leveling
meaning
planning
proposing
purposing
setting one’s sights on
sighting
slanting
steering
striving
targeting
training
trying
wanting
wishing
zero in on
zooming in

ambitions
aspirations
courses
desiderata
designs
desires
directions
ends
intentions
intents
marks
objectives
objects
plans
purposes
schemes
targets
where one is headings
wishes

addresses
angles
aspires
attempts
casts
concentrates
contemplates
covets
designs
directs
endeavors
essays
fixes
focuses
intends
levels
means
plans
proposes
purposes
sets one’s sights on
sights
slants
steers
strives
targets
trains
tries
wants
wishes
zero in on
zooms in

aim
aspiration
desire
dream
end
enterprise
goal
hope
intent
mark
objective
purpose
target
wish

Источник

Top Definitions
Synonyms
Quiz
Related Content
Examples
British
Idioms And Phrases

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

noun

the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

the subject in hand; the point at issue.

practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.

verb (used with object), pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.

to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.

to resolve (to do something): He purposed to change his way of life radically.

verb (used without object), pur·posed, pur·pos·ing.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Which sentence is correct?

Idioms about purpose

on purpose, by design; intentionally: How could you do such a thing on purpose?

to the purpose, relevant; to the point: Her objections were not to the purpose.

Origin of purpose

First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English purpos, from Old French, derivative of purposer, variant of proposer “to propose ”; (verb) Middle English purposen, from Anglo-French, Old French purposer

synonym study for purpose

OTHER WORDS FROM purpose

pre·pur·pose, verb (used with object), pre·pur·posed, pre·pur·pos·ing.re·pur·pose, verb (used with object), re·pur·posed, re·pur·pos·ing.un·pur·posed, adjectiveun·pur·pos·ing, adjective

Words nearby purpose

purple trillium, purplish, purport, purported, purportedly, purpose, purpose-built, purposeful, purposefully, purposeless, purposely

Words related to purpose

ambition, aspiration, desire, determination, direction, function, goal, idea, intent, objective, plan, principle, project, reason, scheme, scope, target, view, wish, faith

How to use purpose in a sentence

Together the two men had formed Reinvent Technology Partners, a special purpose acquisition company, earlier in 2020.
Another purpose of these meetings is to build working relationships so when strategic decisions need to be made, board members are used to working together.
The images are — first of all, they’re real, it’s not manufactured, but they are put together in a way that adds, on purpose, to the drama of it.
If in a particular context it becomes a symbol of divisiveness, and has a potential for doing harm to the overall well-being of the university community, I believe it serves no purpose for it to be played.

Working remotely —especially for those execs who have never done it before — can also impact your purpose said Mertens.
By setting no goals, the player must find their own purpose.
They were born in 51 countries and speak 59 foreign languages, but they seemed bound by a single purpose and resolve.
But Seligman never imagined how Mitchell might put the concept to work, in part because it was so ill-suited to that purpose.
The whole purpose of the gang is to generate money for its incarcerated leaders.
We are gathered for one reason and one reason alone—to raise money to help fulfill that dream and that purpose.
Some were even re-arrested for the same nefarious purpose, and the daily papers published their names on each occasion.
I called out several times, as loud as I could raise my voice, but all to no purpose.
The emperor Nicholas of Russia declared, by ukase, his purpose to assist Austria.
For the purpose of ascertaining the Board’s powers in this connection the opinion of the Attorney General has been requested.
The culture of expression is a very different thing from the artful imitation of the signs of feeling and purpose.

British Dictionary definitions for purpose

noun

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; determinationa man of purpose

practical advantage or useto 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

verb (tr)

to intend or determine to do (something)

Word Origin for purpose

C13: from Old French porpos, from porposer to plan, from Latin prōpōnere to propose

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with purpose

see at cross purposes; for all intents and purposes; on purpose; serve a purpose; to good purpose; to little or no purpose.

Источник

Aim and Purpose are two words that are often understood in the same sense though there is some difference between aim and purpose. Before analyzing how there exists a difference between aim and purpose, let us first have a general idea of the two words. Aim and purpose are both used as nouns and verbs in the English language. Then, if one takes a look at the history of the two words, aim and purpose, one finds that both of these words have their origins in the Middle English. In addition, both aim and purpose are used in certain phrases.

What does Aim mean?

An aim is the target towards which you work or perform. For example, you would work hard to score the highest marks in all the subjects among all other students in your classroom. In short, it can be said that your aim is to get the first rank in the examinations. This is the target you would like to achieve. When considering about the word aim, aim has a slight resemblance with the word goal as in the sentence given below.

My aim is to get an admission into a medical college.

Here, the word aim is understood as the goal of the person.

Now, let us have a look at some of the phrases that use the word aim.

Aim high (“be ambitious”)

A talented person like you should aim high.

Take aim (“point a weapon or camera at a target”)

Janessa took aim with her pistol.

What does Purpose mean?

On the other hand, a purpose is the result for which you work or perform. The purpose of an experiment in the Science laboratory is to achieve some sort of result that you look for. The purpose of your working hard before the examinations is to get a good result in the form of admission in a medical college. Sometimes the word purpose indicates the reason as in the following sentence.

The purpose of my visit to New York is to visit the landmarks there.

Here, you can see that the word purpose is used in the sense of reason. The speaker says that the reason behind his visit to New York is to pay a visit to all the landmarks there.

What is the difference between Aim and Purpose?

• An aim is the target towards which you work or perform. On the other hand, a purpose is the result for which you work or perform. This is the main difference between the two words aim and purpose.

• Sometimes the word purpose indicates the reason for something.

• On the other hand the word, aim has a slight resemblance with the word goal.

• The word aim is always used in the sense of target whereas the word purpose is not used in the sense of target.

• Purpose involves methodology whereas aim does not involve methodology. In other words, purpose works in a method. Aim works through perseverance. This is another important difference between the two words aim and purpose.

Источник

On the go? Listen to the audio version of the article here:

Do you ever feel lost in life?

Or are you bored to death by a soul-destroying repetitive job requiring little to no creativity?

At moments like these, you may feel like your life lacks purpose. But what does it mean to have a sense of purpose?

A sense of purpose means dedicating yourself to a cause beyond yourself. It’s a goal that fuels your motivation in life, giving your life meaning and direction, inspiring you to make a significant contribution to the world.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, you can check out my resource page for suggestions on how to find help.

Purpose Gives Life Meaning

The psychologist Victor Frankl states that humans are driven by the necessity to seek meaning in their lives by committing to a cause or purpose outside themselves.

If an individual is unable to find a meaningful commitment, the suffering they experience leads to despair. If they are able to find a meaningful commitment, any suffering they experience will be met with resilience and the strength to preserver toward their goals.

Frankl is a living example of this philosophy since he survived two concentration camps in Nazi Germany through his commitment to the goal of rewriting and publishing his book that was nearly finished before being taken away when he entered the camp. His book can be found here: Mans Search for Meaning.

Since this drive to find meaning is essential for human beings, according to Frankl, a lack of meaning leaves an “existential vacuum” whereby one is susceptible to a state of despair.

We often ineffectively cope with this form of suffering by conforming to others, seeking simple fleeting pleasures, or by demonstrating superiority over others. All of these routes lead to unconscious suffering since they simply repress the existential vacuum produced by the lack of meaning. They do not actually fill the vacuum by creating meaning.

In other words, rather than feeling the pain, it is numbed by the temporary pleasure of stimulants, depressants, or the feeling of superiority. This is the root of addiction.

Working toward a meaningful goal is replaced by drugs, alcohol, excessive television-watching, internet games, or on the other hand, an obsession focused on success or acquiring power over others.

Purpose Gives You Direction

I often hear people accuse others of being lazy. This is especially true regarding the baby-boomers attitude toward millennials who are perceived as self-entitled brats who don’t know the value of hard work and can’t put their phones down.

“Kids today…” they say; “…they are not willing to work hard as we did.”

Is there an epidemic of laziness among today’s youth? Or is this another case of an older generation in misalignment with values, beliefs, and norms of a younger generation.

I don’t believe there an epidemic of laziness. Today’s youth are not lazy, they are lost. Unlike the baby boomers, millennials can’t rely on a standard life-course involving smooth and predictable transitions between each stage.

Baby boomers are right when they say, “the world was simpler then.” Social structures were much more stable, bound by stronger cultural norms regarding gender, sexuality, as well as the meaning of adulthood and family.

If you didn’t fit into normal gender ideals, sexual orientations, or take on normal adult responsibilities, you were probably marginalized and considered weird.

Now, everything is becoming weird. Actually, weird is the new cool. Millennials are freer to experiment with the way they present their gender, who they engage with sexually, and how they make their money.

Although we’ve seen progress regarding tolerance, millennials are now tasked with navigating a highly fluid, highly complex social milieu where there are fewer clear signposts directing them along their life-course.

Today’s youth see a multitude of paths but don’t know which way to go. Simply finishing high-school no longer guarantees a long line of employers offering you a position. Even finishing a post-secondary degree can’t guarantee that! Personally, I’ve finished three post-secondary degrees and still wonder if I’ll ever have stable employment.

There has been an explosion of both opportunity and uncertainty. Today’s youth are not lazier than the last generation’s, they are just more lost.

Human beings function best with a clear sense of direction and purpose. Remember those essay assignments in school when the teacher told you to just write whoever you want? They were always the hardest.

When the regulations are clear, students thrive. When they are vague, students flounder, put it off, or take much longer to complete the assignment. Loosely structured assignments do not cause students to become lazy; the lack of regulation makes them feel lost.

We need to look at how our social environments may be doing the same thing.

Nietzsche tells us that when we have a “why” we can overcome almost any “how”. Rather than berating millennials, calling them lazy and unmotivated, we need to consider whether or not they have something to be motivated to move toward.

In a world with so many options, we need to offer forms of institutional support that can provide direction for youth who are coming of age in this complicated age.

This may come in the form of updated career counseling classes in schools, peer-support groups for young entrepreneurs, or community programs that give young people a chance to apply and build on their unique skills.

What is the Meaning of Life Purpose?

A sense of purpose is key to living a meaningful life. It is the heart of passion and it can bring us to deeper levels of long-term happiness, providing resilience amidst great hardships.

A sense of purpose is something we often talk about wanting, seeking, or having, but it is somewhat elusive in our world of ongoing life-projects, characterized by multiple careers in a highly fluid world.

So what does purpose actually mean?

The concept of “purpose” comes from the Anglo-French “purpos” referring to an intention, aim, or goal. Broadly speaking, it can refer to purposely getting drunk on the weekend, purposely caring for your loved ones, or even purposely putting the toilet seat down; therefore, purpose is goal-oriented action.

In order to talk about the specific type of purpose I alluded to in the intro, we will need to refine the concept. But before we can refine the concept, we need to figure out the role of purpose in one’s life. This means defining the purpose of life-purpose.

In other words, the purpose of life-purpose can be called the end-goal of life-end-goals, the end of all other ends, or the ultimate end. In regular English, this simply translates to the question: why do we do what we do?

Luckily, Aristotle is a handy tool that can be used to fix this particular type of philosophical entanglement. Aristotle states that happiness is the ultimate end, meaning that all other goals are in some way directed toward the goal of happiness.

Therefore, the purpose of life-purpose is happiness. But before moving further, we need to look at what Aristotle means by happiness.

Distinct from hedonistic fleeting pleasures, Aristotle conceptualizes happiness as “eudemonia” which translates to “good spirit,” or in other words, “living well.” For Aristotle, living well/ living a good life means living virtuously in accordance with one’s reason, based on his ethics of moderation laid out in the Nicomachean Ethics.

To summarize the conceptual progress thus far, we can say that the purpose of life-purpose is to direct one toward living a good life. Therefore, a sense of purpose in life is distinct from the sense of purpose one feels during everyday goal-oriented tasks like grocery shopping because it acts as an overarching meta-purpose.

What this means is that it is a purpose that shapes all other purposes in alignment with an idea of the good. For example, if one’s life-purpose is heavily governed by a commitment to the flourishing of one’s children, one’s goals while grocery-shopping may be shaped by this overarching goal, moderating the type of foods one chooses to buy.

Therefore, the function of life-purpose is regulative. It curbs our short term desires/ hedonic purposes in order to align our actions in accordance with a conception of the good.

To again recap, I first established that the purpose of life-purpose is to direct one toward a conception of a good life. I then established that life-purpose has a regulatory function. Since both its purpose and function are morally regulative, life-purpose can also be called, “moral purpose.”

Aristotle refers to the concept of moral purpose when he states: Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a man chooses or avoids. Aristotle’s virtue ethics places a strong emphasis on character development through individual will-power.

I want to pose a sociological counterbalance to Aristotle’s existentialism. In other words, I want to go deeper into the concept of moral purpose by demonstrating its social basis.

Sociologically, the concept of morality is strongly rooted in the work of Emile Durkheim. Similar to Aristotle, Durkheim makes a link between morality and happiness:

But it appears fairly certain that happiness is something besides a sum of pleasures. Pleasure is local; it is a limited affection of a point in the organism or conscience. In short, what happiness expresses is not the momentary state of a particular function, but the health of physical and moral life in its entirety.

For Durkheim, making fleeting pleasures one’s primary purpose is to live in a constantly unsatisfied anomic state of unregulated desire:

Unlimited desires are insatiable by definition and insatiability is rightly considered a sign of morbidity. Being unlimited, they constantly and infinitely surpass the means at their command; they cannot be quenched. Inextinguishable thirst is constantly renewed torture. To pursue a goal which is by definition unattainable is to condemn oneself to a state of perpetual unhappiness.

Although complete happiness is a goal that is unattainable, the goal of eudemonia is a distinct pursuit since it is the end at which all things aim. The pursuit itself is the fulfillment of eudemonia, not an end-goal.

Although Aristotle and Durkheim share a comparable definition of happiness, Durkheim is a helpful tool for getting at the social source of moral purpose, distinct from its manifestation through individual willing. In other words, Durkheim helps us understand the types of social environments that facilitate moral purpose.

Durkheim states, “for the sentiment of duty to be fixed strongly in us, the circumstances in which we live must keep us awake.” He places emphasis on the importance of strong social bonds that facilitate a sense of duty. Examples include religious life (in traditional contexts) and one’s occupational group (in modern contexts). Durkheim states:

…when community becomes foreign to the individual, he becomes a mystery to himself, unable to escape the exasperating and agonizing question: to what purpose?

For Durkheim, moral purpose is bound up with community life.

Put simply, purpose means having a goal that regulates individual action, in accordance with the values of a broader social environment.

How to Build a Sense of Purpose

These days, we’re always being told to find our passion. I think this is pretty bad advice.

It’s like telling someone who is unhappy to simply “find happiness”. If you’re trying to find your passion in a fog of purposelessness, you’re likely going to stumble around in a directionless haze, tormented by frustration.

Lacking purpose is an issue for many groups including the elderly, retirees, veterans, former high-level athletes, recent graduates, or those going through a mid-life crisis.

Erik Erikson described this phenomenon as the conflict of identity vs. role confusion, experienced in adolescence. I would go further than Erikson and argue this is not just an adolescent issue, but a universal issue that can be experienced at any age. Our sense of self is influenced by our social roles, so any kind of major life transition can provoke an identity crisis, affecting our sense of purpose.

So what is the antidote to purposelessness? Make yourself useful!

In theory, it sounds easy. It’s not too hard to find someone needing help. The problem is that you can’t be useful to anyone else if you’re not being useful to yourself first. So here is step one:

Be useful to yourself. Take care of your basic needs. organize the clutter in your physical environment and the chaos in your day-to-day life. Prioritize your sleep, nutrition, and exercise. If all of this sounds overwhelming, start small. As Jordan Peterson says, “Clean your damn room!” But as he also says, “Cleaning up your room involves cleaning up far more than your room.” Doing something useful for yourself is the first step in reorienting yourself amidst the mental fog of purposelessness. As the fog begins to thin out, you can start to see beyond yourself. This leads to step two:

Be useful to your family or close friends. Once you’re adequately useful to yourself and can help from a place of genuine giving, you can be useful to others close to you. I mention “genuine giving” because many people try to be useful to others without addressing their own needs first. This often results in codependent relationships where you do things for others to fill a lack of self-esteem in yourself. It is an experience of toxic shame where we constantly feel the need to prove ourselves and receive external validation. Once you’ve worked through these personal issues and can engage in close interpersonal relationships based on genuine heartfelt giving, the next step is this:

Be useful to the broader society. Once you’ve addressed your personal needs and can be of service to those closest to you, you can be useful to the broader society. This may happen in various ways. You can be useful in your work, volunteer roles, leisure activities, or even as an activist contributing to some form of social change. The key is that your way of contributing fits your unique personal strengths. Misalignment between your strengths, values, and interests can hinder your level of usefulness and the resulting level of purpose you feel toward the role. Finding alignment between your abilities and your role requires first knowing your strengths and cultivating them.

Since I recently turned thirty, I can say this is the greatest lesson I’ve learned during my twenties. Throughout the past decade of post-secondary education, I’ve had to constantly adjust the focus of my sociological studies to keep the purpose alive.

In the beginning, it was hard to imagine how sociology could be useful beyond the walls of academia, but that didn’t matter at the time. As in step one (be useful to yourself), sociology helped me make sense of the world, improved my critical thinking skills, and built my knowledge of history, politics, and human behavior. I learned how to write, how to present, and how to conduct myself in a professional environment.

Studying sociology was useful for me, but once I started my doctoral program, I questioned whether this was enough. It was hard to see how theorizing about “modernist discourses in a post-structural context” was useful to the broader world. Social theory often turns into an intellectual game of 3D chess played among career academics creating ever-new cleverly articulated problems that may or may not have any relation to the world outside the ivory tower. Luckily, I learned a lot while becoming skillful in the art of intellectual language games, but I had only been useful to myself.

After the first year of my doctoral program, my purpose became foggy. I asked myself, “What is the purpose of a university?” I knew the answer had to be something beyond self-enrichment, but I had become so entangled in theoretical jargon, I couldn’t even come up with a real problem to study. Here is an embarrassing excerpt from my original dissertation proposal draft:

“I will address the cultural meaning of technology in the context of recent developments in prosthetic technologies…. Building on the calls for a sociology of impairment that goes beyond the impairment/ disability dualism, while remaining critical of technological progress by engaging in a sociology of the prosthetic in order to consider the cultural meaning of technological enhancement for bodies marked as impaired.”

I was deep in the fog and couldn’t connect my own skills and interests to a broader social need. If you’ve been following my blog, you may know by now that I have come a long way since then. By the end of my second year, I began reading war memoirs and discovered that many veterans are having serious issues adjusting to civilian life. They were struggling to find purpose in a world where they no longer feel useful. This was the moment I knew what I needed to study. I could make myself useful by shedding light on this important issue.

Shortly after discovering a renewed sense of purpose, I started this blog. It has served as a way to work through ideas in dialogue with non-sociologists, helping me keep my focus relevant and in touch with real issues.

Since graduating three years ago, I’ve learned how to be useful in therapeutic contexts, working directly with individuals who suffer from an addiction. As I continue learning and practicing, hopefully, my usefulness grows, fueling a sense of purpose.

I never expected to end up in the addictions field. Simply trying to find a passion was not enough. I had found a passion for sociology but needed to rethink my usefulness to maintain the passion.

If you have lost your passion for something or are struggling to regain a sense of purpose after a major life transition, consider how you can make yourself useful to yourself, your family, and the broader society.

As Emerson states, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful…”. When you put happiness first, you find disappointment. When you put usefulness first, happiness follows.

A Sense of Purpose Can Save Your Life

“If you try to do only for yourself, you’ll only get so far in life. If you reach out to touch other people, you can fix your own soul.“ Bryan A. Wood

This idea was inspired by a comment from a fellow blogger who said this philosophy saved his life. He writes:

…once I’ve accepted that my life is fundamentally expendable, no longer worth living, I get on with it and do what I can, each act of generosity makes me feel better about myself, rebuilds my confidence if not my validity, sometimes it’s a long hike, a very long time alone.

when a caller at a distress centre where I volunteered asked once if I had found my own reason for living after my own bouts with myself, I answered that maybe it was to be there to help him, where would he be if I weren’t? I think that helped us both.

I’ve encountered this same sentiment of salvation through service in my interviews with Canadian veterans of Afghanistan. Upon leaving the military, one veteran stated:

You lose the sense that you are serving your country. Serving your country tends to be an undervalued activity, but it is one that veterans have embraced. Unlike any other profession, they put their life on the line. What they are looking for is something like what they just left, and that doesn’t exist anymore, so that’s why so many people don’t actually leave the military; they go to the reserves or they go into organizations that deliver projects to the military or they go on as trainers.

This individual stated that his step-son who also served in the Canadian Forces valued service and that although he embraced the value of his generation of making a lot of money in the banking industry, his heart was in public service and he spent a great deal of his spare time serving his military reserve-unit.

With service comes a sense of contribution. Therefore, losing the community one served creates a need to regain a sense of contribution. As one veteran states: “no one tells us, ‘hey, you’re still worthy of making a contribution.’” Facilitating social environments that give veterans the opportunity to apply their skills in civilian professions allows them to potentially regain a sense of service, reducing the risk of suicide in this population.

People die by suicide because of a sense of thwarted belonging and a perceived sense of “burdensomeness“ as discussed by Thomas Joiner. Therefore, even individuals who belong to a supportive group and are surrounded by loved ones may still be at risk of suicide of they feel like a burden to these people. The opposite of burdensomeness is the sense of meaning and purpose that comes with contribution/ service to a cause larger than oneself. A sense of meaning through service provides psychological resilience amidst the darkest states of suffering.

Conclusion

A sense of purpose means finding a sense of commitment to a goal or cause beyond yourself. When you lack a sense of purpose, you feel lost, unmotivated, and have difficulty finding meaning in life. Addictions are a common way to cope in the short term, compounding the issue in the long term.

If you are lacking a sense of purpose, it might be helpful to consider ways to make yourself useful. This does not necessarily mean waiting until you have advanced skill-sets. You can simply start by being useful to yourself and those around you.

Fascinated by ideas? Check out my podcast:

Struggling with an addiction?

If you’re struggling with an addiction, it can be difficult to stop. Gaining short-term relief, at a long-term cost, you may start to wonder if it’s even worth it anymore. If you’re looking to make some changes, feel free to reach out. I offer individual addiction counselling to clients in the US and Canada. If you’re interested in learning more, you can send me a message here.

Other Mental Health Resources

If you are struggling with other mental health issues or are looking for a specialist near you, use the Psychology Today therapist directory here to find a practitioner who specializes in your area of concern.

If you require a lower-cost option, you can check out BetterHelp.com. It is one of the most flexible forms of online counseling. Their main benefit is lower costs, high accessibility through their mobile app, and the ability to switch counselors quickly and easily, until you find the right fit.

*As an affiliate partner with Better Help, I receive a referral fee if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

As always, it is important to be critical when seeking help, since the quality of counselors are not consistent. If you are not feeling supported, it may be helpful to seek out another practitioner. I wrote an article on things to consider here.

Like this article? Join the mailing list to receive email updates when new ones are published:

Источник

Я уверена, что средства языка, которые мы используем для выражения мыслей, формируют наше сознание и мышление. Сложно говорить или рассуждать о том, что не имеет названия в том языке, на котором вы разговариваете и думаете, правда? Если в языке нет разграничений между понятиями, очень сложно мыслить разными категориями. Поэтому часто широта и глубина восприятия одного и того же явления отличается в разных культурах.

Если вы читаете блог ENGINFORM и подписаны на меня в Facebook и Instagram, то знаете, что я очень часто упоминаю цели в контексте обучения, и именно цели студентов (а не удобный шаблон) лежат в основе персонализированного обучения в нашем онлайн-центре.

И сегодня мы поговорим о том, как описывать цели в английском языке.

Содержание:

Понятие «цель» в английском
Aim — желаемый результат
Goal — долгосрочная цель
Objective — краткосрочная цель
Target — конкретный результат
Purpose — назначение, намерение, предназначение
Ambition — желание, стремление
Использование разных слов в одном контексте
Тест на понимание и запоминание
Заключение

В русском есть одно слово для обозначения этого понятия. Под словом «цель» у нас может подразумеваться всё, что угодно: долгосрочная, краткосрочная, конкретная, абстрактная, цель-миссия, цель-задача. Из-за единственной формулировки в нашем сознании нет разницы между целями разного порядка, разного уровня конкретности и четкости. Для нас они все — просто «цель».

В английском существует как минимум шесть слов, которые переводятся как «цель», но обозначают при этом абсолютно разные вещи. В этом материале мы с вами рассмотрим не привычную разницу между синонимами, а разницу в значениях слов, которые имеют одинаковый перевод из-за отсутствия четких эквивалентов, которая позволит проследить отличие между менталитетами.
И, возможно, после изучения станет понятнее, почему многие люди не умеют ставить четкие цели и достигать их — они просто неправильно их называют, воспринимают или смешивают цели разного порядка в одну кучу.

Давайте расширять понимание и разбираться, какие цели бывают, и какие слова выбирать для их описания и постановки.

Aim — желаемый результат, намерение, что вы в идеале хотите получить, но до конца не уверены, что получится (a purpose or intention; a desired outcome).

Когда вы хотите сказать, что в перспективе, совершив определенные действия, направив ресурсы и усилия на определенный результат, вы, возможно, получите то, что хотели:

The main aim of the program — главная цель программы

The aim of the course is to improve your vocabulary. — Цель курса — улучшить ваш словарный запас.

What is the aim of the lesson? — Какая цель этого занятия?

Aim high, dream big, and make your dreams a reality. — Ставьте высокие цели, мечтайте и претворяйте мечты в реальность.

Aim — это цель широкая, сформулированная общей фразой, и она может состоять из нескольких менее масштабных и более конкретных целей (goals).

Кроме того, слово aim может быть глаголом: стремиться, иметь целью что-либо, добиваться чего-либо:

What are you aiming at? — Чего ты добиваешься?

Goal — «долгосрочная цель» — что-то важное, достижение, которое вы наметили и хотите достичь в будущем, даже если это что-то сложное, и потребует много времени, усилий и ресурсов. Как правило, это ясная и конкретная цель, на которую вы направляете свои усилия (the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result).

To set a goal — поставить цель
To achieve a goal — достичь цели
My main goal now is to pass the exam. — Моя основная цель сейчас — сдать экзамен.

Goal может состоять из более мелких, более конкретных целей-задач, которые описывают словом objective.

Objective — «краткосрочная цель» или «ближайшая цель» — задача с четко сформулированным результатом, которую вы перед собой ставите (a thing aimed at or sought; a goal). Обычно это слово используется для обозначения целей в бизнесе, с акцентом на то, что это цели утвержденные, намеченные и обозначенные:

There are five main objectives we plan to achieve this month. — Есть пять основных целей, которых мы планируем достичь в этом месяце.

The head of the company has set the objectives for the next year. — Глава компании поставил цели на следующий год.

Target — конкретный результат, обычно количественный, измеримый показатель, которого человек или компания намерены достичь в результате своей работы (a level or situation that you intend to achieve).

Слово target — это также мишень, и можно провести прямую ассоциацию со стрельбой: вы четко видите куда целитесь, прилагаете целенаправленные конкретные действия и можете сразу оценить, попали вы в цель или нет.

Our target is to increase the profit by 20%. — Наша цель — повысить прибыль на 20%.

My new target is to run 5 km every day. — Моя новая задача — пробегать пять километров каждый день.

Основная разница между objective и target в том, что targets — это очень четкие и количественно определенные цели. Objectives обычно не настолько конкретно сформулированы, они, скорее, задают направление, в котором вы движетесь, а targets измеряют, насколько далеко вы продвинулись.
Сравните (в обоих случаях в переводе будет слово «цель», но значения разные):

Our main objective is to boost the sales. — Наша главная цель — усилить продажи.

Our target for the next month is to increase the sales by 20%. — Наша цель на следующий месяц — увеличить продажи на 20%.

Purpose — назначение, намерение — причина и смысл чего-либо; то, что стоит за поступками, что побуждает и лежит в основе деятельности или существования чего-либо (the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists).
Purpose — это то, «ради чего», то, что именно важно получить в результате конкретного действия. Например, цель визита в страну или целевое назначение чего-либо. Кроме того, purpose может обозначать цель более высокого порядка, миссию, предназначение:

What is the purpose of this meeting? — Какая цель этой встречи?
It was done for an educational purpose. — Это было сделано с обучающей целью.
I do not see the purpose of this discussion. — Я не вижу цели/смысла этого обсуждения.
The purpose of life — цель моей жизни то, ради чего я живу

Очень часто вместо словосочетаний с purpose используют слово why:

What was your purpose of doing so?
Why did you do so?

У меня есть подробный урок о том, как выражать цель в английском предложении и полезный материал 9 функций слова why — эти статьи помогут вам лучше понять и научиться говорить о целях на английском.

Ambition — желание и стремление — цель, которую вы хотите достичь в будущем, например, в карьере и работе (a strong desire to do or achieve something, desire and determination to achieve success):

His ambition is to become a doctor. — Его цель — стать доктором.

She worked hard and achieved her ambition of winning the first prize. — Она много работала и достигла своей цели выиграть первый приз.

Кстати, я обратила внимание, что студенты часто относят прилагательное ambitious к отрицательным характеристиками. Значение этого прилагательного в английском вполне позитивное: having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.

Кстати, говоря о желаниях, вспомнила, что у нас есть отличный материал в тему 14 способов сказать: «Я хочу» на английском — очень рекомендую изучить!

Давайте посмотрим на пример использования разных слов в одном и том же тексте. Говоря на русском, везде фигурирует «цель», и мы лишь догадываемся, о каких именно целях речь. А на английском это будут разные слова, передающие смысл более точно:

Когда я была студенткой, моя цель (ambition) была стать профессиональным психологом и преподавателем, и совмещать эти два направления. И я смогла ее достичь — создала проект ENGINFORM, цель существования которого (purpose = mission) — помогать людям осознанно изучать английский и достигать своих целей (goals/aims). Каждый студент приходит к нам со своим уникальным запросом (хотя все они звучит как «выучить английский»), и мы понимаем, что знание языка — это подцель, промежуточная цель (goal) на пути к целям более высокого порядка (aims).

И в рамках цели «выучить английский» (goal) вместе с нашими студентами мы формулируем более конкретные цели, которые определяют направление обучения (objectives) — систематизация грамматики, пополнение словарного запаса, улучшение конкретных речевых навыков. Для каждой objective устанавливаем targets — количество правильных ответов, новых слов, объем выполненных заданий, процентные соотношения между «было» и «стало». Каждый преподаватель понимает важность и цель (purpose) этой работы — только измеряя показатели, мы можем объективно отслеживать прогресс по движению к финальной цели (goal) и корректировать промежуточные objectives.

Каждый год я формулирую цели компании для команды (objectives). Например, в этом году мы улучшаем качество сервиса и совершенствуем нашу методику. Каждый сотрудник в ENGINFORM имеет свои цели на неделю и на месяц (targets), и непрерывно развиваясь, мы реализуем главную цель нашего онлайн-центра (aim) — делать обучение осознанным и персонализированным для каждого нашего клиента.

Рекомендую вам тоже составить подобную историю о вашей работе, учебе, или хобби, где вы расскажете о целях разного уровня и порядка — так вы сможете почувствовать разницу между их значениями.

Давайте же проверим ваше запоминание и понимание!
Заполните пропуски в каждом предложении, выбрав правильное слово: goal, purpose, target, aim, objective, ambition.

В некоторых случаях может подходить больше одного варианта:

The ___ of my visit to the USA is to take part in the conference.
He learns English and his ___ is to memorize 20 new words every day.
My ___ is to become a word-famous writer.
She set a ____ to learn Italian and broke it into objectives.
The ____ of the lesson was to show you the difference between the words.
Our current ____ is to improve the client service in the company.
What is the ____ of this meeting? Why should we be there?

Пишите ваши ответы и варианты ниже в комментариях!

Конечно, это не исчерпывающий список, и, если поискать в словарях, вы найдете еще несколько близких по значению слов, которые могут переводиться как «цель» (пишите о них в комментариях тоже!), но для начала важно понять, как использовать эти шесть. В статье я привела краткие определения и объяснения, а для полного понимания вам понадобится больше контекстов и примеров.

Куда идти за контекстами и примерами? Рекомендую смотреть выступления, читать статьи и литературу на английском по темам бизнеса, саморазвития, целеполагания — в них вы обязательно встретите упоминания цели во всех её ипостасях. На конкретных примерах вы сможете уловить, усвоить различия и научитесь использовать слова по назначению.

Идеально, если эту систему значений вы перенесете в свою жизнь, и перестанете оперировать единственным словом «цель», мысленно складывая цели разного порядка в одну корзинку, а научитесь их сортировать и понимать, о какой цели вы сейчас думаете и говорите: goal, purpose, target, aim, objective, ambition.

В блоге я уже рассказывала о важности постановки целей и давала советы как правильно их обозначать.

А если у вас уже есть четкая цель и намерение изучать английский, преподаватели ENGINFORM готовы помочь вам достичь её как можно скорее! На вводном занятии вы обсудите все пожелания, наметите курс и направление работы, поставите objectives и будете двигаться к ним в комфортном для вас темпе на персональных занятиях онлайн.

Выбирайте ваш курс, запишитесь на вводное занятие и приступайте к обучению в ENGINFORM!

Желаю вам успехов и достижения всех ваших целей.

Увидели ошибку в тексте? Выделите её и нажмите на появившуюся стрелку или CTRL+Enter.

Источник

Look up purpose for the last time

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Related Words and Phrases

See Also

TRY USING purpose

How to use purpose in a sentence

WORDS RELATED TO PURPOSE

Idioms about purpose

Origin of purpose

synonym study for purpose

OTHER WORDS FROM purpose

Words nearby purpose

Words related to purpose

How to use purpose in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for purpose

Word Origin for purpose

Other Idioms and Phrases with purpose

What does Aim mean?

What does Purpose mean?

What is the difference between Aim and Purpose?

Purpose Gives Life Meaning

Purpose Gives You Direction

What is the Meaning of Life Purpose?

How to Build a Sense of Purpose

A Sense of Purpose Can Save Your Life

Conclusion

Fascinated by ideas? Check out my podcast:

Struggling with an addiction?

Other Mental Health Resources

Like this article? Join the mailing list to receive email updates when new ones are published:

Содержание: