For — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

preposition conjunction abbreviation /fər/

Meaning & Definition of For

For (preposition)

  1. —used as a function word to indicate purpose
  2. —used as a function word to indicate an intended goal
  3. —used as a function word to indicate the object or recipient of a perception, desire, or activity

For (conjunction)

  1. for the reason that, on this ground, because

For (abbreviation)

  1. foreign
  2. forestry
  3. free on rail

For (preposition) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in pro

    similar: pro
    opposite: against, agin (dialect), anti, contra, athwart, contrary to, versus, with

For (conjunction) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. for the reason that

    "the bill should be listed as paid, for I mailed it in on time"

    similar: 'cause, as, as long as, because, being (as or as how or that) (chiefly dialect), considering, inasmuch as, now, seeing, since, whereas

Related Entry: For certain (phrase)

For certain is a different word from For. The synonyms below are for for certain, not for for.

  1. without any question

    "We won't know for certain until the test results come back."

    similar: all right, alright, assuredly, certainly, clearly, definitely, doubtless, easily, forsooth, hands down, inarguably, incontestably, incontrovertibly, indeed, indisputably, plainly, really, so, sure, surely, truly, unarguably, undeniably, undoubtedly, unquestionably, by all means, by all odds, damn well, for sure
    related: conceivably, likely, perhaps, possibly, probably, obviously, unmistakably

Related Entry: For fair (phrase)

For fair is a different word from For. The synonyms below are for for fair, not for for.

  1. to a full extent or degree

    "The competition has started for fair."

    similar: all, all of, all over, altogether, clean, completely, dead, enough, entire, entirely, even, exactly, fast, flat, full, fully, heartily, out, perfectly, plumb (chiefly dialect), quite, soundly, thoroughly, through and through, totally, utterly, well, wholly, wide, all the way, at length, down to the ground, in whole, to bits, to pieces, to the hilt, to the max
    related: absolutely, categorically, cold, downright, hands down, plain, stone, stone-cold, unqualifiedly, basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, more or less, mostly, overall, predominantly, predominately, primarily, principally, substantially, abundantly, copiously, generously, greatly
    opposite: half, halfway, incompletely, part, partially, partly
    near: barely, hardly, just, kind of, marginally, minimally, scarcely, slightly, superficially, approximately, roughly, somewhat

Related Entry: For good (phrase)

For good is a different word from For. The synonyms below are for for good, not for for.

  1. for all time

    "When they leave, they'll be gone for good."

    similar: always, aye, e'er, eternally, ever, everlastingly, evermore, forever, forevermore, indelibly, permanently, perpetually, for keeps
    related: enduringly, long, perennially
    opposite: ne'er, never, nevermore
    near: once

Related Entry: For good measure (phrase)

For good measure is a different word from For. The synonyms below are for for good measure, not for for.

  1. in addition to what has been said

    "Toss in an extra pinch of salt for good measure."

    similar: additionally, again, also, besides, either, further, furthermore, likewise, more, moreover, then, too, withal, yet, as well, in addition to, into the bargain, on top of, to boot, what's more

Related Entry: For keeps (phrase)

For keeps is a different word from For. The synonyms below are for for keeps, not for for.

  1. for all time

    "She plans to stay with the company for keeps."

    similar: always, aye, e'er, eternally, ever, everlastingly, evermore, forever, forevermore, indelibly, permanently, perpetually, for good
    related: enduringly, long, perennially
    opposite: ne'er, never, nevermore
    near: once

Related Entry: For real (phrase)

For real is a different word from For. The synonyms below are for for real, not for for.

  1. being exactly as appears or as claimed

    "The rumors are for real: the happy couple is expecting a baby in June."

    similar: authentic, bona fide, certifiable, certified, dinkum (Australian & New Zealand), echt, genuine, honest, pukka, real, right, sure-enough, true
    related: actual, historical, original, lawful, legal, legitimate, identifiable, recognizable, verifiable, proven, substantiated, validated, verified, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, irrefutable, undeniable, undoubted, unmistakable, unquestionable, veritable, very, accurate, correct, proper, pure, unadulterated, unalloyed
    opposite: bogus, counterfeit, fake, false, mock, phony, pseudo, sham, spurious, suppositious, supposititious, unauthentic, unreal
    near: artificial, factitious, imitation, man-made, simulated, synthetic, unnatural, concocted, fabricated, manufactured, deceptive, delusive, delusory, misleading

Related Entry: For sure (phrase)

For sure is a different word from For. The synonyms below are for for sure, not for for.

  1. without any question

    "After he switched shifts at work, he said he would be at the party for sure."

    similar: all right, alright, assuredly, certainly, clearly, definitely, doubtless, easily, forsooth, hands down, inarguably, incontestably, incontrovertibly, indeed, indisputably, plainly, really, so, sure, surely, truly, unarguably, undeniably, undoubtedly, unquestionably, by all means, by all odds, damn well, for certain
    related: conceivably, likely, perhaps, possibly, probably, obviously, unmistakably

Related Entry: For the birds (phrase)

For the birds is a different word from For. The synonyms below are for for the birds, not for for.

  1. so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter

    "She thought the long philosophical discussions of her friends were for the birds."

    similar: absurd, cockamamy, comical, derisive, derisory, farcical, laughable, ludicrous, pathetic, preposterous, ridiculous, risible, silly
    related: asinine, brainless, dumb, fatuous, foolish, half-baked, half-witted, harebrained, idiotic, imbecile, inane, jerky, moronic, nonsensical, simpleminded, stupid, unwise, weak-minded, witless, balmy, cockeyed, crazy, cuckoo, daffy, daft, dotty, insane, kooky, loony, mad, nutty, screwball, senseless, wacky, fantastic, far-fetched, inconceivable, incredible, unbelievable, unreal, unrealistic, unreasonable, illogical, irrational
    near: earnest, serious, solemn, believable, conceivable, credible, logical, rational, realistic, reasonable, sensible

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for For

The most common words with a similar meaning to For:

Chiefly dialect: being (as or as how or that)
pro, 'cause, as, as long as, because, considering, inasmuch as, now, seeing, since, whereas

Antonyms & Opposite Words for For

Words with the opposite meaning of For:

against, agin, anti, contra, athwart, contrary to, versus, with

Origin & Etymology of For

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Latin per through, prae before, pro before, for, ahead, Greek pro, Sanskrit pra before, in front, Old English faran to go fare

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for For

Words & Phrases Containing For

for-, for all one is worth, for all practical purposes, for all the world, for a loop, for a loss

Frequently Asked Questions about For

What does "For" mean?

"For" means —used as a function word to indicate purpose. As an a preposition, a conjunction and an abbreviation, it is defined as: —used as a function word to indicate purpose. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "For"?

Other words for "For" include pro, 'cause, as, as long as, because, being (as or as how or that), considering and inasmuch as. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "For" you intend.

What are different ways to say "For"?

There are 12 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "For". Common alternatives include pro, 'cause, as, as long as, because, being (as or as how or that), considering, inasmuch as, now and seeing.

What is the opposite of "For"?

Antonyms of "For" include against, agin, anti, contra, athwart, contrary to, versus and with.

How do you use "For" in a sentence?

Examples of "For" in a sentence: "the bill should be listed as paid, for I mailed it in on time".

Is "For" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"For" can be used as a preposition, a conjunction and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "For" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "For" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "For"?

"For" is pronounced /fər/.