Search Dictionary
Definition of purposely

purposely

/ˈpɜːr.pəs.li/
pur · pose · ly
Adjective:purposeful
JUMP TO:

purposely Lexical Profile

purposely Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

On purpose; intentionally or deliberately rather than by accident.

Example

"The architect purposely left the brick wall exposed to highlight the building's historic character."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for purposely
Antonyms
View all antonyms for purposely

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'purposely' with 'purposefully': 'purposely' simply means done intentionally or on purpose rather than by accident, whereas 'purposefully' means done in a determined, resolute manner toward a clear goal.

• Nearby Words

purposeless
purposelessly
purposelessness
purposely
purposive
purr
purse

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in late Middle English from the noun 'purpose' (via Anglo-Norman French 'purpos', from Latin 'propositum', meaning 'a thing proposed or intended') combined with the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Purposely. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/purposely
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.