好词典

purpose

UK //ˈpɜː.pəs//US //ˈpɝː.pəs//

词源

源自中古英语 'purpos',来自古法语 'porpos',由 'por-'(为了)和 'pos'(放置)组成,最终源自拉丁语 'proponere'(提出,计划)。

noun

❶ 指做某事的意图或目标,强调行为背后的原因或想要达到的效果。

“The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the new project.”

(这次会议的目的是讨论新项目。)

“She traveled to Japan with the purpose of learning the language.”

(她去日本旅行的目的是学习语言。)

❶ 指某物存在的意义或功能,通常用于描述物品或设计的用途。

“This machine serves a very specific purpose.”

(这台机器有非常特定的用途。)

“The purpose of a knife is to cut things.”

(刀的用途是切割东西。)

同义词:aim, goal, intention, objective, function

verb

❶ 指有意或决心做某事,通常用于正式或文学语境中。

“He purposed to finish the work by Friday.”

(他决心在周五前完成这项工作。)

“She purposed in her heart to change her life.”

(她下定决心要改变自己的生活。)

同义词:intend, plan, resolve, determine

常见短语

on purpose — 故意地,有意地,表示某行为是刻意为之而非偶然。

“He broke the vase on purpose to get attention.”

(他故意打碎花瓶以引起注意。)

for all intents and purposes — 实际上,事实上,表示尽管可能有细微差别,但本质上或效果上是如此。

“The project is, for all intents and purposes, complete.”

(这个项目实际上已经完成了。)

serve a purpose — 有用,能满足某种需求或达到某种目的。

“This old tool still serves a purpose in the workshop.”

(这个旧工具在车间里仍然有用。)