Purposively

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner that signifies clear intention and planning Through ways that illustrate a meaningful goal or target Engaging in actions that are specifically aimed at achieving something distinct
2. Acting in a way that is intentionally planned and meant to achieve a specific outcome
3. Performing actions that show clear intention and are done with a specific aim in mind

Etymology: "Purposively" is about as plain as English etymology gets: it is the adjective "purposive" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" attached. "Purposive" itself is built from "purpose" plus the suffix "-ive," which turns a noun into an adjective meaning having a tendency toward or characterized by the thing named. So a purposive action is one shaped by an aim, and "purposively" describes doing something in that deliberate, goal-directed way. The "-ly" suffix comes from Old English "-lic," a word meaning like or having the form of, which gradually wore down to the modern ending that marks adverbs in English. The word's core meaning therefore stays close to its parts: doing something with a purpose in view.

Synonyms: intentionally, deliberately

Antonyms: accidentally