Word
for
US/ˈfɔɹ/
UK/fˈɔː/
Definitions
01intended recipient
A1 · Beginner
prep. used to show who is intended to have or use something.
prep. indicating the intended recipient or beneficiary of an object or action.
“I bought a small gift for my sister's birthday.”
“The architect designed the community centre specifically for the elderly residents who had lived in the neighbourhood for decades.”
Synonyms
02duration of time
A1 · Beginner
prep. used to show how long something lasts.
prep. indicating the duration or extent of a period of time.
“We waited at the station for two hours before the train arrived.”
“The researchers monitored the volcanic activity for several months before concluding that an eruption was no longer imminent.”
Synonyms
03purpose or reason
A1 · Beginner
prep. used to show the reason or purpose for an action.
prep. indicating the purpose, goal, or reason for an activity or state.
Español:por
“She went to the shop for some milk and bread.”
“The delegation travelled to Geneva for the international climate summit to present their findings on rising sea levels.”
Synonyms
04destination
A2 · Elementary
prep. used to show where someone or something is going.
prep. indicating the destination or direction of travel.
“The train for London leaves from platform four.”
“After a brief stop to refuel, the cargo ship set sail for the port of Rotterdam.”
05in exchange
A2 · Elementary
prep. used to show the price or what you give to get something.
prep. indicating equivalence, exchange, or price in a transaction.
“I sold my old car for three thousand dollars.”
“The collector was willing to trade several rare stamps for a single first-edition manuscript from the nineteenth century.”
Synonyms
06support or agreement
B1 · Intermediate
prep. used to show that you support or agree with an idea.
prep. indicating support, favour, or advocacy for a person, group, or cause.
Español:por
“Are you for or against the new plan to build a park?”
“The majority of the council members voted for the proposal, citing the long-term economic benefits for the local community.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
07considering the standard
B2 · Upper Intermediate
prep. used to compare someone or something to what is normal for that type.
prep. indicating a standard of comparison or a relative expectation.
“He is very tall for a ten-year-old boy.”
“The winter has been remarkably mild for this region, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing even at night.”
Synonyms
08because
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
conj. a formal way to say 'because'.
conj. used as a coordinating conjunction to introduce a reason or explanation.
“We must leave now, for the sun is setting.”
“The king grew anxious, for he knew that his enemies were gathering strength beyond the northern borders.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “for” in context.
Usage
When used to indicate duration, it is followed by a period of time. When used as a conjunction, it is formal and means 'because'.
Pitfall
I have lived here since three years
I have lived here for three years
Use 'for' to describe a duration of time; 'since' is only for a specific starting point in the past.
Confusables
During marks the point in time when an event occurs; for measures the total length of time that event lasts.
RememberDuring = When. For = How long.
Since marks the specific starting point of an action, while for measures the total duration of the period.
RememberSince = Start. For = Full length.
Real-World Examples
“Organ kept Tim Andrews off dialysis and acted as a ‘bridge’ while he waited for a human transplant in the US” “On Monday, former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison received a 33-month prison sentence for infringing on Breonna Taylor's civil rights during the raid that resulted in her death, despite the request from President Donald Trump's Justice Department for a mere one-day incarceration.” “As Trump campaigns for re-election on November 3, he chose to grant Stone a commutation, which does not nullify a criminal conviction, rather than a complete pardon.” Etymology
From Middle English for, from Old English for ("for, because of"), from Proto-Germanic \furi ("for"), from Proto-Indo-European \preh₂-. Cognates include West Frisian foar, Dutch voor, German für, Danish for, Swedish för, Norwegian for, Icelandic fyrir, Latin per (with Romance descendants including Spanish por), Ancient Greek περί (perí), Lithuanian per, Slovak pre, and Sanskrit परि (pári).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADVERB
PREPOSITION
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/for
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0