Meaning vs. Purpose — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 26, 2023
Meaning refers to the significance or understanding of something, while purpose pertains to the intended goal or reason behind an action or existence.
Difference Between Meaning and Purpose
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In everyday parlance, meaning and purpose are two terms that often intersect, yet they maintain distinct nuances. Meaning relates to the comprehension, interpretation, or significance of something, whether it's a word, a gesture, or an action. On the other hand, purpose delves into the realm of intention and objective, signifying the reason or aim behind a specific action or existence.
Exploring further, consider a novel or a piece of art. The meaning is the message or emotion the creator hopes to convey, the themes and subtexts that provide depth. However, the purpose could be multifaceted: to educate, to entertain, or to provoke thought. So, while the meaning remains relatively constant, the purpose can vary based on the context or audience.
Meaning can be intrinsic, often arising from the inherent nature of something. A smile generally carries the meaning of happiness or approval across cultures. Purpose, conversely, is more extrinsic, dictated by external factors or motivations. A smile, while universally understood as a gesture of positivity, can have varied purposes: to reassure, to flirt, or to mask one's true feelings.
Furthermore, meaning can often be discerned directly, like understanding the definition of a word or the theme of a story. Purpose, however, sometimes necessitates a deeper dive, understanding the background, motivation, and context. For instance, while a tool's meaning is clear from its function, its purpose—whether for repair, creation, or destruction—requires more insight.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Significance or understanding.
Intended goal or reason.
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Intrinsic/Extrinsic
Often intrinsic, inherent in something.
More extrinsic, determined by external factors.
Scope
Can be directly discerned.
May require deeper context or background.
Examples
Themes, messages, definitions.
Aims, intentions, objectives.
Context Dependency
Less dependent on varying contexts.
Can change based on different contexts.
Compare with Definitions
Meaning
The definition or explanation of a word or phrase.
I looked up the meaning of that unfamiliar word.
Purpose
The reason for which something is done or created.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the project.
Meaning
The importance or value attributed to something.
The gift held great meaning for her.
Purpose
An intended objective or goal.
She went to the city with a clear purpose in mind.
Meaning
The significance or interpretation of something.
The meaning of the painting was open to interpretation.
Purpose
The function of something or its reason for existence.
The purpose of a hammer is to drive nails.
Meaning
The underlying theme or message in a work.
The film's meaning revolved around redemption.
Purpose
A person's motivation or driving force.
He found his purpose in helping others.
Meaning
The message that is intended or expressed or signified;
What is the meaning of this sentence
The significance of a red traffic light
The signification of Chinese characters
The import of his announcement was ambigtuous
Purpose
The desired outcome or effect of an action.
The campaign's purpose was to raise awareness.
Meaning
An implied or expressed intention in communication.
His words carried a hidden meaning.
Purpose
The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or goal
Her purpose in coming here is to talk to you. The purpose of an airliner is to transport people.
Meaning
What is meant by a word, text, concept, or action
The meaning of the Hindu word is ‘breakthrough, release’
The meaning of life
Purpose
Determination; resolution
He was a man of purpose.
Meaning
Intended to communicate something that is not directly expressed
She gave Gabriel a meaning look
Purpose
To intend or resolve
"the gap between what is said and what is purposed" (Ian Donaldson).
Meaning
The denotation, referent, or idea associated with a word or phrase
How many meanings does the word "dog" have?.
Purpose
The end for which something is done, is made or exists.
What is the purpose of your visit?
My purpose in coming to Egypt was simply to take it en route to the desert.
It has been my purpose to illustrate rather than to explain.
The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.
The purpose of the device is to prevent the breechblock from opening accidentally should the gun be held barrel down.
The purpose of this letter is to set the record straight.
The purpose of this book is to study the interrelationship of government and religion.
The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.
Meaning
Something that is conveyed or intended, especially by language; sense or significance
The writer's meaning was obscured by convoluted prose.
Purpose
Function, role.
Meaning
An interpreted goal, intent, or end
"The central meaning of his pontificate is to restore papal authority" (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
Purpose
(Sense of having a) meaning for existing or doing something.
Meaning
A sense of importance or purpose
When he became a teacher, he felt that his life had meaning.
Purpose
Resolution; determination.
Meaning
Disposed or intended in a specified manner. Often used in combination
A well-meaning fellow.
Ill-meaning intentions.
Purpose
(obsolete) The subject of discourse; the point at issue.
Meaning
Full of meaning; expressive
Gave me a meaning look.
Purpose
(transitive) To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
Meaning
(of words, expressions or symbols)
Purpose
(intransitive) To have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.
Meaning
The denotation, referent, or idea connected with a word, expression, or symbol.
Purpose
To discourse.
Meaning
The connotation associated with a word, expression, or symbol.
Purpose
That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim; design; intention; plan.
He will his firste purpos modify.
As my eternal purpose hath decreed.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertookUnless the deed go with it.
Meaning
The purpose, value, or significance (of something) beyond the fact of that thing's existence.
The meaning of life
The number of persons attending the vigil had a lot of meaning to the families.
Purpose
Proposal to another; discourse.
Meaning
(of a person's actions) Intention.
Purpose
Instance; example.
Meaning
Present participle of mean
Purpose
To set forth; to bring forward.
Meaning
Having a (specified) intention.
Purpose
To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; - often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause.
Did nothing purpose against the state.
I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living.
Meaning
Expressing some intention or significance; meaningful.
Purpose
To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
Meaning
That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent.
If there be any good meaning towards you.
Purpose
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
Meaning
That which is signified, whether by act lanquage; signification; sense; import; as, the meaning of a hint.
Purpose
What something is used for;
The function of an auger is to bore holes
Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
Meaning
Sense; power of thinking.
Purpose
The quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
His determination showed in his every movement
He is a man of purpose
Meaning
The idea that is intended;
What is the meaning of this proverb?
Purpose
Propose or intend;
I aim to arrive at noon
Meaning
Rich in significance or implication;
A meaning look
Pregnant with meaning
Purpose
Reach a decision;
He resolved never to drink again
Common Curiosities
Are the definitions of words the only way to convey meaning?
No, meaning can also be conveyed through context, tone, body language, and more.
Do meaning and purpose always align?
Not necessarily. Something can have a clear meaning, but its purpose might vary based on context.
Is meaning always intrinsic to an object or action?
While meaning often arises intrinsically, external factors and interpretations can also shape it.
Why do some objects or actions lose their original meaning or purpose over time?
Cultural shifts, evolving contexts, and new interpretations can change or obscure original meanings and purposes.
Can an action have a purpose even if its meaning is unclear?
Yes, an action can have an intended purpose even if its significance or message is ambiguous.
Does purpose dictate meaning or vice versa?
They can influence each other, but neither strictly dictates the other.
Is the purpose of a tool strictly defined by its function?
While a tool's function often dictates its primary purpose, users can repurpose tools for different objectives.
How are meaning and purpose related in literature?
In literature, meaning often refers to themes and messages, while purpose can be the author's intent or the work's impact.
Can an object or action have multiple meanings or purposes?
Yes. Context, culture, and individual interpretation can influence both meaning and purpose.
Can the same word have different meanings and purposes in different languages?
Absolutely. Translation nuances and cultural contexts can lead to varied interpretations and uses of a word.
How can context change the meaning or purpose of an action?
Context provides background that can influence how an action is interpreted or why it was performed.
How do artists use meaning and purpose in their work?
Artists convey meaning through themes and messages in their work, while their purpose could be to evoke emotion, provoke thought, or challenge norms.
Can the purpose of a word change its meaning in a sentence?
Yes. Depending on its intent or function in a sentence, a word's perceived meaning can shift.
Can a person's life have meaning without a clear purpose?
Yes, life can have intrinsic value and significance even if an overarching purpose isn't clear.
How do personal beliefs influence one's sense of meaning and purpose?
Personal beliefs can shape how individuals interpret the world around them and what they view as their life's objective.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
