purposive, goal-directed
(adjective) having a purpose; “purposive behavior”
purposive
(adjective) having or showing or acting with a purpose or design; “purposive behavior”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
purposive (comparative more purposive, superlative most purposive)
Serving a particular purpose; adapted to a given purpose, especially through natural evolution. [from 19th c.]
Done or performed with a conscious purpose or intent. [from 19th c.]
Synonyms: deliberate, intentional, purposeful
(psychology) Pertaining to purpose, as reflected in behaviour or mental activity. [from 19th c.]
Pertaining to or demonstrating purpose. [from 19th c.]
Possessed of a firm purpose. [from 20th c.]
Synonyms: determined, resolute
(grammar) Of a clause or conjunction: expressing purpose. [from 20th c.]
• Objects: behavior, action, interpretation, sample, etc.
Source: Wiktionary
Pur"po*sive, a.
Definition: Having or indicating purpose or design. "Purposive characters." Bastian. Purposive modification of structure in a bone. Owen. It is impossible that the frog should perform actions morepurposive than these. Huxley.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
3 May 2025
(adjective) worth having or seeking or achieving; “a desirable job”; “computer with many desirable features”; “a desirable outcome”
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
