What does purposely mean?
Purposely means “on purpose” or “intentionally.” It is used when an action, decision, or result was chosen or planned rather than happening by chance: someone may speak loudly to be heard, leave a message to be noticed, or avoid a question because they do not want to answer it. The word is common in everyday speech and formal writing alike, and it is often interchangeable with “deliberately” and “intentionally.” Its connotation can be neutral, but depending on context it may also imply that an action was obvious, obstructive, or designed to achieve a specific effect. For example, a speaker might describe a deliberate omission as “purposely overlooked,” emphasizing that the omission was not accidental. Although “purposefully” is also widely used, “purposely” is the simpler, more direct choice when the basic meaning of intentionally is intended.
adverbOn purpose; intentionally or deliberately. It describes an action or outcome that was planned or chosen rather than accidental.
- Done intentionally or deliberately.
"She left the note purposely so that everyone would see it."
"The alarm was purposely silenced during the test."
"He purposely arrived late to avoid the discussion."
Sometimes the quickest way to make a situation worse is to do something on purpose.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does purposely come from?
“Purposely” was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to “purpose.” “Purpose” comes through Anglo-French from Latin propositum, a past participle of proponere, meaning “to put forward” or “to propose.” In English, the word developed the senses of an aim or intention and, eventually, the intention behind an action. Related forms include “purposeful,” meaning having a clear aim, and “purposeless,” meaning lacking a meaningful objective.
How purposely is actually used
This word is standard in formal and informal English. It is similar to “deliberately” and “intentionally,” but it can sometimes suggest that an action was conspicuous, deliberate, or designed for a particular effect.
Easily confused with purposely
Both words mean intentionally, but “purposefully” more often emphasizes having a clear aim or objective, while “purposely” is the more general and established form.