for

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Because.

   • I had to stay with my wicked stepmother, for I had nowhere else to go.
   • […]Dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skillful and deadly.
2. 2

   Towards

   Towards; in the direction of.

   • The astronauts headed for the moon.
   • Run for the hills!
   • He was headed for the door when he remembered.
3. 3

   Leading towards in time or circumstance.

   • We're heading for bankruptcy.
   • He's set for graduating this year.
4. ›+ 35 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Directed at

      Directed at; intended to belong to.

      • I have something for you.
      • Maya Erwin, Vice President of Marketing & Innovation at Blue Diamond added in a press release: “Partnering with Mike’s Hot Honey allowed us to create something truly unique for snack lovers.
   2. 5

      In order to help, benefit, gratify, honor etc. (someone or something).

      • Everything I do, I do for you.
      • We're having a birthday party for Janet.
      • The mayor gave a speech for the charity gala.
   3. 6

      Befitting of someone’s beliefs, needs, wants, skills, or tastes

      Befitting of someone’s beliefs, needs, wants, skills, or tastes; best suited to.

      • I’ll strike a blow for you.
      • If having to bag the groceries correctly is more than you can handle, then this isn't the job for you.
   4. 7

      To be used or treated in a stated way, or with a stated purpose or meaning.

      • This is a new bell for my bicycle.
      • The cake is for Tom and Helen's anniversary.
      • This medicine is for your cough.
   5. 8

      Supporting, in favour of.

      • All those for the motion, raise your hands.
      • Who's for ice-cream?
      • I'm for going by train
   6. 9

      Because of.

      • He wouldn't apologize; and just for that, she refused to help him.
      • He looks better for having lost weight.
      • She was the worse for drink.
   7. 10

      In order to cure, remove or counteract.

      • I need to spray my house for termites.
      • The doctor treated me for arthritis.
      • We're protesting for climate change.
   8. 11

      So as to allow (something or someone) to take position.

      • Make way for the president!
      • Clear the shelves for our new Christmas stock!
   9. 12

      In anticipation of.

      • Stand by for your cue.
      • Prepare for battle.
   10. 13

       As an evaluation of

       As an evaluation of; as to evaluate in connection with.

       • I am grading for style on this paper.
       • History will judge you for your actions.
       • We're investigating you for the robbery.
   11. 14

       So as to identify or locate.

       • They swept the area for enemy operatives.
       • Police combed his flat for clues.
   12. 15

       Over (a period of time).

       • I've lived here for three years.
       • They fought for days over a silly pencil.
       • The store is closed for the day.
   13. 16

       Throughout or across (a distance in space).

       • I can see for miles.
       • For many miles about / There's scarce a bush.
   14. 17

       Used to introduce a subject of a to-infinitive clause.

       • It seems unreasonable for our boss to withhold our wages.
       • I don't think it's a good idea for you and me to meet.
       • For you and me to meet is not a good idea because I'm not eager for it to be a success.
   15. 18

       On behalf of.

       • I will stand in for him.
       • I speak for the Prime Minister.
   16. 19

       In the role or capacity of

       In the role or capacity of; instead of; in place of.

       • I used a hay bale for a bed.
       • He's got a turnip for a brain.
   17. 20

       In exchange for

       In exchange for; in correspondence or equivalence with.

       • I got five hundred pounds for that old car!
       • He matched me blow for blow.
       • And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
   18. 21

       In order to obtain or acquire.

       • I am aiming for completion by the end of business Thursday.
       • He's going for his doctorate.
       • Do you want to go for coffee?
   19. 22

       By the standards of, usually with the implication that those standards are lower than one…

       By the standards of, usually with the implication that those standards are lower than one might otherwise expect; considering.

       • Fair for its day.
       • She's spry for an old lady.
       • He's very mature, for a two-year-old.
   20. 23

       To be, or as being.

       • Don't take me for a fool.
       • 17th century Abraham Cowley, Of Wit We take a falling meteor for a star.
       • if a man can be persuaded and fully assured of anything for a truth without having examined, what is there that he may not embrace for truth ?
   21. 24

       Despite, in spite of.

       • For all his expensive education, he didn't seem very bright.
       • "You must keep your head. There is still hope." "Hope!" "Yes; plentiful hope -- for all this destruction!"
       • 1892 August 6, "The Unbidden Guest", in Charles Dickens, Jr. (editor), All the Year Round, page 133, Mr. Joseph Blenkinshaw was perhaps not worth quite so much as was reported; but for all that he was a very wealthy man […]
   22. 25

       Indicating something desired or anticipated.

       • O for the wings of a dove.
       • Ah! for wings to soar …
       • And now for a slap-up meal!
   23. 26

       Introducing the first item(s) in a potential sequence .

       • Go scuba diving? For one thing, I can't even swim.
       • For another, we don't have any equipment.
   24. 27

       In honor of

       In honor of; after.

       • He is named for his grandfather.
   25. 28

       Due for or facing (a certain outcome or fate).

       • He totally screwed up that project. Now he's surely for the sack.
   26. 29

       Out of

       Out of; used to indicate a fraction, a ratio

       • In term of base hits, Jones was three for four on the day
   27. 30

       For the price of.

       • Special offer: three for two.
   28. 31

       Used as part of a score to indicate the number of wickets that have fallen.

       • At close of play, England were 305 for 3.
   29. 32

       Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.

       • We'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.
   30. 33

       So (that), in order to

       • He took the swing shift for he could get more overtime.
   31. 34

       Used in various other more-or-less idiomatic ways to construe individual verbs,…

       Used in various other more-or-less idiomatic ways to construe individual verbs, indicating various semantic relationships such as target, purpose, result, etc.; see also the entries for individual phrasal verbs, e.g. ask for, look for, stand for, etc.

       • to account for one's whereabouts    to care for a relative    to settle for second best    to allow for mistakes
   32. 35

       To

       To; (the particle for marking the following verb as an infinitive).

       • Ugh—I’ll not be able for get up. Send for M’sieu le Curé—I’ll be goin’ for die for sure.
       • She say that when nigger people step out o’ they place and start for rub shoulders with Bacra, trouble just ‘round the corner.
   33. 36

       Initialism of field Of research.

   34. 37

       Initialism of frame of reference.

   35. 38

       Initialism of Fellowship of Reconciliation, any of a number of religious nonviolent…

       Initialism of Fellowship of Reconciliation, any of a number of religious nonviolent organizations, particularly in English-speaking countries.

The neighborhood

• antonymagainst