# purposely

/ˈpɝpəsɫi/ (US) · /pˈɜːpəsli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/purposely
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

on purpose. You use this when someone does something because they want to, not by accident.

For teachers: with a deliberate or intentional aim. Often used to describe actions performed with a specific, conscious motive.

## Examples

- I purposely left the door open for you.
- The architect purposely designed the windows to face the sunrise, ensuring the house would be bright every morning.
- The author purposely omitted the protagonist's name throughout the entire novel to create a sense of universal experience that any reader could inhabit.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He did it purposefully." but "He did it purposely." — Learners confuse 'purposely' (on purpose) with 'purposefully' (with determination or a sense of purpose).

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.