Purposive

/ˈpɜːrpəsɪv/
adjective

Done with a clear aim or plan.

A purposive approach was taken to solve the problem.
Visual representation of "purposive" - Done with a clear aim or plan

Often appears as...

  • purposive action
  • purposive behavior

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

adjective

Done with a clear aim or plan.

A purposive approach was taken to solve the problem.
Visual representation of "purposive" - Done with a clear aim or plan

Often appears as...

  • purposive action
  • purposive behavior

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "purposive"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Action With Purpose

Use 'purposive' when actions are taken with a specific goal, not by accident or randomly.

Illustration for Action With Purpose
The campaign's purposive strategies increased awareness effectively.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Based on Emotion

'Purposive' suggests actions based on logic and planning, not emotional impulses.

Illustration for Not Based on Emotion
Her decision to study abroad was purposive, not whimsical.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Academic Writing

In academic contexts, 'purposive' indicates a well-thought-out method or analysis.

Illustration for Academic Writing
The research employed a purposive sampling technique.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Action With Purpose

Use 'purposive' when actions are taken with a specific goal, not by accident or randomly.

Illustration for Action With Purpose
The campaign's purposive strategies increased awareness effectively.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Based on Emotion

'Purposive' suggests actions based on logic and planning, not emotional impulses.

Illustration for Not Based on Emotion
Her decision to study abroad was purposive, not whimsical.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Academic Writing

In academic contexts, 'purposive' indicates a well-thought-out method or analysis.

Illustration for Academic Writing
The research employed a purposive sampling technique.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Action With Purpose

Use 'purposive' when actions are taken with a specific goal, not by accident or randomly.

Illustration for Action With Purpose
The campaign's purposive strategies increased awareness effectively.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Based on Emotion

'Purposive' suggests actions based on logic and planning, not emotional impulses.

Illustration for Not Based on Emotion
Her decision to study abroad was purposive, not whimsical.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Academic Writing

In academic contexts, 'purposive' indicates a well-thought-out method or analysis.

Illustration for Academic Writing
The research employed a purposive sampling technique.
Visual representation of the word "Purposive"

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Video examples

Steven Johnson: The Web...

where he talks about everything being purposive in the Web -- there's nothing artificial. He has this line where he says, you know, you're going to put up a link there, if you see a link, somebody decided to put it there. And he says, the link to one site didn't just grow on the other page "like a tree fungus."

Video examples

Steven Johnson: The Web...

where he talks about everything being purposive in the Web -- there's nothing artificial. He has this line where he says, you know, you're going to put up a link there, if you see a link, somebody decided to put it there. And he says, the link to one site didn't just grow on the other page "like a tree fungus."

Example 1 of 1
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