Purposely vs. Purposefully — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 29, 2023
Purposely implies an action done with intention or on purpose. Purposefully conveys an action done with a sense of purpose or determination.
Difference Between Purposely and Purposefully
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Purposely means doing something intentionally or deliberately. It often implies a specific intention or plan behind an action. Purposefully, on the other hand, suggests a manner that is full of purpose, often conveying a sense of determination or resolve.
When someone acts purposely, they are acting with a clear objective or reason. This could be positive or negative depending on context. Purposefully denotes not just intention, but also a sense of focus and directedness.
The use of purposely often implies that the action is planned or premeditated. For example, one might purposely hide a gift to surprise someone. Purposefully suggests a more thoughtful, determined manner, like walking purposefully towards a goal.
An action done purposely may not always be serious or important; it could be something trivial done on purpose. In contrast, purposefully implies a certain weightiness or importance to the action, highlighting the person’s resolve or dedication.
In essence, purposely is about the 'why' behind an action, while purposefully is more about the 'how'—the manner and resolve with which it’s done.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Done intentionally or deliberately
Done with a sense of purpose or determination
Implication
Focuses on the intention behind action
Implies a determined, focused manner
Context Use
Can be trivial or serious actions
Often implies seriousness and resolve
Tone
May be neutral or context-dependent
Generally conveys a positive, strong intent
Example Context
Hiding a gift to surprise someone
Walking determinedly towards a goal
Compare with Definitions
Purposely
Intentionally executing an action.
She purposely spilled the milk to avoid drinking it.
Purposefully
Carrying out actions with a strong intent.
She worked purposefully to achieve her goals.
Purposely
Acting with deliberate intention.
She purposely avoided mentioning the surprise party.
Purposefully
Exhibiting a focused and determined manner.
He looked purposefully at the problem and started solving it.
Purposely
Executing an action with a clear objective.
They purposely saved money for their vacation.
Purposefully
Displaying a meaningful and intentional demeanor.
The team moved purposefully to complete the project on time.
Purposely
Doing something with a specific purpose in mind.
He purposely left early to avoid traffic.
Purposefully
Doing something in a manner that denotes resolve.
He spoke purposefully, emphasizing his point.
Purposely
Deliberately choosing a particular course of action.
He purposely chose the longest route for the scenic view.
Purposefully
Acting with a sense of purpose or determination.
She walked purposefully towards the podium.
Purposely
On purpose; intentionally
She had purposely made it difficult
Purposefully
In a way that shows determination or resolve
Rachael takes the lead, striding purposefully towards the door
Purposely
With specific purpose.
Purposefully
With a useful purpose
How is it possible to share information effectively and purposefully with project partners?
Purposely
On purpose; intentionally.
Purposefully
Intentionally and deliberately
Purposefully vague answers
We purposefully avoided addressing the problem
Purposely
With purpose or design; intentionally; with predetermination; designedly.
In composing this discourse, I purposely declined all offensive and displeasing truths.
So much they scorn the crowd, that if the throngBy chance go right, they purposely go wrong.
Purposefully
Having a purpose; intentional
A purposeful musician.
Purposely
With intention; in an intentional manner;
He used that word intentionally
I did this by choice
Purposefully
Having or manifesting purpose; determined
Entered the room with a purposeful look.
Purposefully
In a purposeful manner.
Purposefully
(proscribed) On purpose, purposely, deliberately.
Purposefully
In a purposeful manner;
He caught the motorcycles in the full glare of his headlights, braked and slipped purposefully out of the car
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between purposely and purposefully?
Purposely means intentionally, while purposefully implies doing something with determination.
Can an action be both purposely and purposefully done?
Yes, an action can be done with both intention (purposely) and determination (purposefully).
Can someone act purposefully without a clear goal?
Typically, acting purposefully involves having a clear goal or intention.
Can purposely have a playful connotation?
Yes, it can be used in playful or light-hearted contexts.
Does purposefully always suggest a serious context?
Generally, yes. It conveys a sense of seriousness and resolve.
Can purposely be used for trivial actions?
Yes, purposely can be used for actions that are either trivial or significant.
Is purposely always negative?
No, purposely can be neutral or have a positive or negative connotation based on context.
Is it correct to use purposely and purposefully interchangeably?
No, they have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately.
Is purposely more about the intention behind an action?
Yes, it focuses on the intention or reason for the action.
Does purposefully imply a planned action?
Not necessarily planned, but it does imply a focused and determined action.
Is purposefully a statement about one's demeanor?
Yes, it often reflects a determined, focused demeanor.
Does purposefully always relate to serious endeavors?
Often, but not exclusively. It can be used in any context where determination is shown.
In what contexts is purposely most commonly used?
In contexts where the focus is on the reason or intention behind an action.
Does purposefully imply a positive intent?
Often it does, as it suggests determination and resolve.
Can the misuse of purposely and purposefully change the meaning of a sentence?
Yes, using one in place of the other can alter the intended meaning.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Foreword vs. Forward
Next Comparison
Fiance vs. FianceeAuthor Spotlight
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.
