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What is the difference between purpose and objective?

purpose | objective |

Objective is a synonym of purpose.



As nouns the difference between purpose and objective

is that purpose is an object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal while objective is a material object that physically exists.

As a verb purpose

is have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.

As an adjective objective is

of or relating to a material object, actual existence or reality.

purpose

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)
  • An object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author= Ed Pilkington
    • , volume=188, issue=26, page=6, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= ‘Killer robots’ should be banned in advance, UN told , passage=In his submission to the UN, [Christof] Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.}}
  • A result that is desired; an intention.
  • The act of intending to do something; resolution; determination.
  • * 2013 , Phil McNulty, "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23830980]", BBC Sport , 1 September 2013:
    • United began with more purpose in the early phase of the second half and Liverpool were grateful for Glen Johnson's crucial block from Young's goalbound shot.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Sarah Glaz
    • , title= Ode to Prime Numbers , volume=101, issue=4, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Some poems, echoing the purpose of early poetic treatises on scientific principles, attempt to elucidate the mathematical concepts that underlie prime numbers. Others play with primes’ cultural associations. Still others derive their structure from mathematical patterns involving primes.}}
  • The subject of discourse; the point at issue.
    • (Spenser)
  • The reason for which something is done, or the reason it is done in a particular way.
    • The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.
  • (obsolete) Instance; example.
    • (rfquotek, L'Estrange)
    Synonyms
    * (target ): aim, goal, object, target * (intention ): aim, plan, intention * (determination ): determination, intention, resolution * (subject of discourse ): matter, subject, topic * (reason for doing something ): reason * See also
    Derived terms
    (terms derived from purpose) * all-purpose * common purpose * cross-purpose * fit for purpose * for all intents and purposes * game with a purpose * general-purpose * infinitive of purpose * multi-purpose * metapurpose * purpose-built * purposeful * purposeless * purpose-like * purpose loan * purposely * purpose statement * on purpose

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl)

    Verb

    (purpos)
  • Have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
  • * Macaulay
    • 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.
  • (passive ) Designed for some purpose.
  • (obsolete) To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
    • (Spenser)
    Derived terms
    * purposed * purposer * purposive * on purpose
    Synonyms
    * (have set as one's purpose ): aim, intend, mean, plan, set out * (designed for some purpose ): intended

    References

    * * *

    Statistics

    *

    objective

    English

    (Objectivity)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or relating to a material object, actual existence or reality.
  • Not influenced by the emotions or prejudices.
  • Based on observed facts.
  • *
  • (grammar) Of, or relating to a noun or pronoun used as the object of a verb.
  • *

    • Usage notes

    * Said of account, judgment, criteria, person, existence, or observation.

    Antonyms

    * subjective

    Derived terms

    * nonobjective * objective correlative * objectivity

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A material object that physically exists.
  • A goal that is striven for.
  • *
  • *
    • Objectives' are the stepping stones which guide you to achieving your goals. They must be verifiable in some way, whether that?s statistically – ‘the more I do this, the better I get at it? – or by some other achievable concept such as getting the job or relationship that you want. It?s crucial that your ' objectives lead you logically towards your goal and are quantifiable.
  • (grammar) The objective case; a noun or pronoun in that case.
  • The lens or lenses of a camera, microscope, or other optical device closest to the object being examined.

    • Synonyms

    * See also