on purpose

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pur•pose /ˈpɜrpəs/   n. 

1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, etc.:
   [countable] For what purpose are we meeting today?
2. an intended or desired result;
   aim;
   goal:
   [countable] His purpose in life was to get rich.
3. willingness to accomplish or achieve some goal or aim;
   resoluteness:
   [uncountable] A good student has to have a sense of purpose.

Idioms

4. Idioms on purpose, intentionally:
   She spilled the paint on purpose.

pur•pose•less, adj. See -pos-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pur•pose  (pûr′pəs), n., v., -posed, -pos•ing. 
n. 

1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
2. an intended or desired result;
   end;
   aim;
   goal.
3. determination;
   resoluteness.
4. the subject in hand;
   the point at issue.
5. practical result, effect, or advantage:
   to act to good purpose.
6. Idioms on purpose, by design;
   intentionally:
   How could you do such a thing on purpose?
7. Idioms to the purpose, relevant;
   to the point:
   Her objections were not to the purpose.

v.t. 

8. to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.
9. to intend;
   design.
10. to resolve (to do something):
    He purposed to change his way of life radically.

v.i. 

11. to have a purpose.

• Anglo-French, Old French purposer
• Old French, derivative of purposer, variant of proposer to propose; (verb, verbal) Middle English purposen
• (noun, nominal) Middle English purpos 1250–1300

Synonyms

• 1. object, point, rationale. See intention. 
• 9. mean, contemplate, plan.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

purpose / ˈpɜːpəs/ noun

1. the reason for which anything is done, created, or exists
2. a fixed design, outcome, or idea that is the object of an action or other effort
3. fixed intention in doing something; determination: a woman of purpose
4. practical advantage or use: to work to good purpose
5. that which is relevant or under consideration (esp in the phrase to or from the purpose)
6. purport
7. on purpose ⇒ intentionally

verb (transitive)

1. to intend or determine to do (something)

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French porpos, from porposer to plan, from Latin prōpōnere to propose