for en · ADP
Pronunciation
- /fɚ/ (Canada, General-American)
- (California, unstressed) audio
- /foː/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
- fôr strong form
- /fɔː/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (General-American, stressed) audio
- fər weak form
- (UK, stressed) audio
- /fɘ/ (New-Zealand)
- /fɔɾ/ (Scotland)
- (Australia, stressed) audio
- /fə/ (Australia, Received-Pronunciation)
- /fɔɹ/ (Canada, General-American)
- (UK, unstressed) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *per- Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- Proto-Indo-European *pr̥h₂-i Proto-Germanic *furi Proto-West Germanic *furi Old English for Middle English for English for Inherited from Middle English for, from Old English for (“for, because of”), from Proto-Germanic *furi (“for”), from Proto-Indo-European *preh₂-. Cognate with West Frisian foar (“for”), Dutch voor (“for”), German für (“for”), Danish for (“for”), Swedish för (“for”), Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk for (“for”), Icelandic fyrir (“for”), Latin per (“by, through, for, by means of”) and Romance language descendants (e.g. Spanish por (“for”)), Ancient Greek περί (perí, “for, about, toward”), Lithuanian per (“by, through, during”), Slovak pre (“for”), Sanskrit परि (pári, “over, around”).
Meanings
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Towards; in the direction of.
Wee ſailed from Peru, (where wee had continued by the ſpace of one whole yeare,) for China and Iapan, by the South Sea; [...]
1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “New Atlantis. A Worke Vnfinished.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, page 1:He was headed for the door when he remembered.
Run for the hills!
The astronauts headed for the moon.
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Leading towards in time or circumstance.
He's set for graduating this year.
We're heading for bankruptcy.
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Directed at; intended to belong to.
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.
2025 March 5, Ayomari, “Blue Diamond Almonds Gets Swicy With Mike’s Hot Honey”, in Foodbeast, archived from the original on 06 Apr 2025:I have something for you.
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In order to help, benefit, gratify, honor etc. (someone or something).
The mayor gave a speech for the charity gala.
Everything I do, I do for you.
We're having a birthday party for Janet.
You, telling me the things you're gonna do for me.
1976, Michael McDonald, “Takin' It to the Streets”, performed by The Doobie Brothers:
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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.
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To be used or treated in a stated way, or with a stated purpose or meaning.
This is a new bell for my bicycle.
This medicine is for your cough.
'Adieu' is French for goodbye.
The cake is for Tom and Helen's anniversary.
I'll buy something for killing cockroaches. We must find something to kill them all.
These apples here are for eating. The rest are for throwing away.
Hammers are for knocking nails in, not for smashing my windows!
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Supporting, in favour of.
I'm for going by train
"I'll go round presently, and pay our friend off." Rather alarmed by this summary action, I was for a little delay, and even hinted that our friend himself might be difficult to deal with.
1860 December – 1861 August, Charles Dickens, chapter XI, in Great Expectations […], volume II, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published October 1861, →OCLC, page 180:Ten voted for, and three against.
Who's for ice-cream?
All those for the motion, raise your hands.
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Because of.
with fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath
c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene v]:He wouldn't apologize; and just for that, she refused to help him.
I could not see his hands, for the thick gloves he wore, and his face was partially concealed by a red woollen comforter; but his entire appearance and manners tallied with what I had seen of Yorkshire farmerhood.
1864, George Etell Sargent, The Story of a City Arab, page 313:I jumped for joy.
I like her for lots of reasons.
She was the worse for drink.
He looks better for having lost weight.
"A summerly day for you," said my host; "You ought to be here in winter. It is impossible then to get out of the doors for the snow and wind. Ugh! dreadful weather!"
1867, Frederick Metcalfe, The Oxonian in Iceland, page 202:
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In order to cure, remove or counteract.
The doctor treated me for arthritis.
We're protesting for climate change.
I need to spray my house for termites.
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So as to allow (something or someone) to take position.
Clear the shelves for our new Christmas stock!
Make way for the president!
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In anticipation of.
Stand by for your cue.
Prepare for battle.
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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.
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So as to identify or locate.
They swept the area for enemy operatives.
Police combed his flat for clues.
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Over (a period of time).
The store is closed for the day.
I've lived here for three years.
To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day.
1717, Joseph Addison, Metamorphoses:They fought for days over a silly pencil.
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Throughout or across (a distance in space).
I can see for miles.
For many miles about / There's scarce a bush.
c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]:
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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.
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On behalf of.
I speak for the Prime Minister.
I will stand in for him.
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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.
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In exchange for; in correspondence or equivalence with.
I got five hundred pounds for that old car!
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 21:23-24:He matched me blow for blow.
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In order to obtain or acquire.
Do you want to go for coffee?
Let's go out for dinner.
I'm saving up for a car.
After a split second of hesitation, the second baseman leaped for the ball—or, rather, stumbled for it.
I am aiming for completion by the end of business Thursday.
People all over Greece looked to Delphi for answers.
He's going for his doctorate.
All this sun spoils me for vacations in the far North.
Don't wait for an answer.
What did he ask you for?
For we would have you know it, / The loſs will fall on us, not on the Poet: / For he writes not for money, nor for praiſe, / Nor to be call'd a Wit, nor to wear Bayes: […]
1641 (first performance), [John Denham], “The Prologue”, in The Sophy. […], 2nd edition, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for H[enry] Herringman, […], published 1667, →OCLC:Can you go to the store for some eggs?
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By the standards of, usually with the implication that those standards are lower than one might otherwise expect; considering as an example of a role or of limitations.
He's okay for a cop.
Fair for its day.
She's spry for an old lady.
He's very mature, for a two-year-old.
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To be, or as being.
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 ?
a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, →OCLC:They knew him for a stranger.
1976, Louis L’Amour, chapter 2, in The Rider of Lost Creek, Bantam Dell, →ISBN:I would advise anyone who does not share its politics — surely the great majority of gay men and lesbians — to shun NOLAG for the anachronistic zombie it is.
1982 February 13, Wayne Dynes, “Unnatural”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 29, page 4:Most of our ingenious young men take up some cry'd-up English poet for their model.
c. 1690, John Dryden, Translations (Preface)Don't take me for a fool.
But let her go for an ungrateful woman.
1712, Ambrose Philips, The Distrest Mother:
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(qualifier:usually in the phrase ‘for all’) Despite, in spite of.
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 […]
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!"
1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 113:For all his faults, there had been something lofty and great about him - as a judge, as a patron of education, as a builder, as an international figure.
1968, J. J. Scarisbrick, Henry VIII, page 240:
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Indicating something desired or anticipated.
Ah! for wings to soar …
Oh! but to breathe the air / By their side under summer skies! To watch the blush on their cheeks, / The light in their liquid eyes. / Oh! but for one short hour, / To whisper a word of love; […]
1858 March 27, “The Lay of the Brief”, in Punch, Or, The London Charivari, page 129:O for the wings of a dove.
And now for a slap-up meal!
O For a Muſe of Fire, that would aſcend / The brighteſt Heauen of Inuention :
1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act PROLOGUE, (please specify the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)]:
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(in expressions such as ‘for a start’) Introducing the first item(s) in a potential sequence .
For another, we don't have any equipment.
Go scuba diving? For one thing, I can't even swim.
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(US, with names) In honor of; after.
He is named for his grandfather.
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(UK) Due for or facing (a certain outcome or fate).
He totally screwed up that project. Now he's surely for the sack.
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(US) Out of; used to indicate a fraction, a ratio
In term of base hits, Jones was three for four on the day
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For the price of.
Special offer: three for two.
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Used as part of a score to indicate the number of wickets that have fallen.
At close of play, England were 305 for 3.
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(obsolete) Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.
We'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.
1609–1612, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, “The Captaine”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act III, scene v:
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(nonstandard) So (that), in order to.
He took the swing shift for he could get more overtime.
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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
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Used to introduce a variable subject to quantification, or to establish a restricting domain for a subsequent mathematical statement.
For each set A, there is a set B whose elements are exactly the subsets of A. For x > 0, the function ln(x) is strictly increasing.
2014, Herbert B. Enderton, Elements of Set Theory, Academic Press, page 19The identity f(x+y) = f(x) + f(y) holds for all x,y ∈ G.
2008, Terence Tao, Structure and Randomness: Pages from Year One of a Mathematical Blog, American Mathematical Society, →ISBN, page 43:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| fa | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fer | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fo' | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fuh | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fo | alternative | lexicographic | |
| foh | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fur | alternative | lexicographic |
Antonyms
Deriveds
for kicks · close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades · save the drama for your momma · for the love of the game · for good · save the drama for your mama · puke for brains · cheek for chowl · fish for compliments · for the craic · herefore · forwhy · once and for all · forsooth · wherefor · gape for · for the meantime · for me and not for thee · for the love of Moses · forcause · for real · for the record · formenism · cure for cancer · for the chop · what do you do for a living · for good and all · run for cover · herefor · forasmuch · for a while · for crying in the beer · sorry for 1999 · have a run for it · make a dash for it · for it · toco for yam · for all · wherefore · for fear that · make a run for it · for sport · thank you for your attention to this matter · for reasons · forever · made for life · not for · benevolent dictator for life · go for the jugular vein · pay-for-delay · for hellery · why for · bond for deed · for good measure
Translations (339)
sl za (by the standards of) · arz عشان (directed at, intended to belong to) · da til (directed at, intended to belong to) · de zu (towards) · eo por (directed at, intended to belong to) · vi cho (directed at, intended to belong to) · de für (directed at, intended to belong to) · la inter (over (a period of time)) · se dihte (because of) · hu -ra (towards) · fi seurauksena (because of) · da i (over (a period of time)) · fi aikana (over (a period of time)) · nl wegens (because of) · mt għal (towards) · ckb بۆ (directed at, intended to belong to) · la propter (because of) · ru в тече́ние (over (a period of time)) · az boyunca (over (a period of time)) · ru ра́ди (directed at, intended to belong to) · el λόγω (because of) · gag için (directed at, intended to belong to) · arz على شان (in order to obtain or acquire) · ro timp de (over (a period of time)) · arz عشان (in order to obtain or acquire) · sv för (directed at, intended to belong to) · da mod (directed at, intended to belong to) · rm per (because of) · sl za (directed at, intended to belong to) · sh за (directed at, intended to belong to) · id bagi (directed at, intended to belong to) · fur par (towards) · ty e (directed at, intended to belong to) · el για (because of) · ro pentru (in order to obtain or acquire) · he בשביל (supporting) · sq për (directed at, intended to belong to) · id untuk (directed at, intended to belong to) · ur ... کے لئے (directed at, intended to belong to) · mt għal- (towards) · bg за (supporting) · nl voor (supporting) · pdt fa (over (a period of time)) · fi saadakseen (in order to obtain or acquire) · sl za (supporting) · la pro (over (a period of time)) · ro către (towards) · cy am (supporting) · de seit (over (a period of time)) · hu -ért (because of) · hu -ra (in order to obtain or acquire) · ur کیلئے (directed at, intended to belong to) · es por (because of) · dsb wob (over (a period of time)) · th ไปสู่ (towards) · grc πρός (in order to obtain or acquire) · pl na (towards) · th สำหรับ (directed at, intended to belong to) · vec par (over (a period of time)) · it per (towards) · sv åt (directed at, intended to belong to) · pt por (because of) · it per (because of) · de für (supporting) · sv för (because of) · mt għal (directed at, intended to belong to) · ru за (supporting) · bn দিকে (towards) · cmn 為了 /为了 (directed at, intended to belong to) · sk počas (over (a period of time)) · hy համար (directed at, intended to belong to) · be для (directed at, intended to belong to) · nl naar (towards) · oc per (directed at, intended to belong to) · pt durante (over (a period of time)) · gag -ä (directed at, intended to belong to) · de -lang (over (a period of time)) · hu számára (directed at, intended to belong to) · sk za (supporting) · it pro (supporting) · da for (supporting) · ga le (over (a period of time)) · fi takia (because of) · sk po (in order to obtain or acquire) · bg за (directed at, intended to belong to) · sv på (in order to obtain or acquire) · it per essere (by the standards of) · hi की तरफ़ (towards) · de für (by the standards of) · ca per a (directed at, intended to belong to) · kmr bo (directed at, intended to belong to) · ur برائے (directed at, intended to belong to) · ga faoi choinne (directed at, intended to belong to) · da for (because of) · stq foar (supporting) · uk про́тягом (over (a period of time)) · fr par estre (by the standards of) · stq foar (directed at, intended to belong to) · fy foar (directed at, intended to belong to) · es pora (directed at, intended to belong to) · kw rag (supporting) · ga ag triall ar (in order to obtain or acquire) · th ไปยัง (towards) · vec par (because of) · ca per ser (by the standards of) · oc per (towards) · ga faoi choinne (in order to obtain or acquire) · ga ar son (because of) · hu -nak (directed at, intended to belong to) · fi varten (directed at, intended to belong to) · no for (because of) · pt para (by the standards of) · sk na (by the standards of) · ja …行きの (towards) · uk до (towards) · sv efter (in order to obtain or acquire) · mhn ver (directed at, intended to belong to) · mt għal (because of) · sv av (because of) · sw kwa (over (a period of time)) · sv åt (towards) · uk для (directed at, intended to belong to) · sv i (over (a period of time)) · de für (in order to obtain or acquire) · gag deyni (directed at, intended to belong to) · ca durant (over (a period of time)) · ca per (supporting) · ru на (towards) · es para ser (by the standards of) · cs pro (supporting) · la ad (directed at, intended to belong to) · hu -re (towards) · th ในความโปรดปราน (supporting) · mr साठी (directed at, intended to belong to) · sv mot (towards) · hu felé (towards) · cmn 給 /给 (directed at, intended to belong to) · hu -ért (in order to obtain or acquire) · sw kwa (directed at, intended to belong to) · km ដើម្បី (towards) · sk k (towards) · cy am (over (a period of time)) · arz لـ (directed at, intended to belong to) · fr pour (towards) · la in (over (a period of time)) · no for (towards) · ia pro (because of) · he בעד (supporting) · bn জন্য (directed at, intended to belong to) · ro înspre (towards) · ang for (supporting) · uk за (supporting) · no for (supporting) · arz على شان (because of) · pt para ser (by the standards of) · es para (towards) · ia por (towards) · ia por (directed at, intended to belong to) · la pro (directed at, intended to belong to) · hu képest (by the standards of) · hu -re (in order to obtain or acquire) · cs pro (because of) · lo ສຳລັບ (directed at, intended to belong to) · rm per (towards) · ca per a (towards) · fr depuis (over (a period of time)) · vec par (by the standards of) · ms untuk (directed at, intended to belong to) · fy foar (supporting) · ang for (over (a period of time)) · da mod (towards) · th เป็นเวลา (over (a period of time)) · tg барои (directed at, intended to belong to) · pt para (directed at, intended to belong to) · uk че́рез (because of) · tr için (directed at, intended to belong to) · ro pentru (by the standards of) · hu miatt (because of) · hi से (over (a period of time)) · vec par (directed at, intended to belong to) · la ad (towards) · nl voor (directed at, intended to belong to) · eo por (supporting) · cy ar gyfer (directed at, intended to belong to) · arz عشان (because of) · ro pentru (supporting) · cy ers (over (a period of time)) · nap pe (directed at, intended to belong to) · it verso (towards) · ia por (supporting) · no til (directed at, intended to belong to) · ru для (directed at, intended to belong to) · fr pour estre (by the standards of) · pt a favor de (supporting) · de nach (towards) · grc ἐπί (in order to obtain or acquire) · cs pro (directed at, intended to belong to) · fi kohti (towards) · vec par (in order to obtain or acquire) · hu -ért (supporting) · el για (directed at, intended to belong to) · it durante (over (a period of time)) · ar لِـ (towards) · hu céljából (in order to obtain or acquire) · ro pentru (directed at, intended to belong to) · hu mellette (supporting) · pl dla (directed at, intended to belong to) · km សម្រាប់ (directed at, intended to belong to) · ps خواته (towards) · pt por (over (a period of time)) · fi vuoksi (because of) · hu -nek (directed at, intended to belong to) · pl o (in order to obtain or acquire) · mk за (directed at, intended to belong to) · es para (directed at, intended to belong to) · da til (towards) · ms untuk (because of) · cmn 對……來說 /对……来说 (by the standards of) · sk pre (supporting) · grc ἐπί (over (a period of time)) · hi क्योंकि (because of) · ar لِـ (supporting) · la ob (because of) · bn ধরে (over (a period of time)) · ar بِالنِّسْبَة لِـ (by the standards of) · hi ... के लिए (directed at, intended to belong to) · fur par (directed at, intended to belong to) · haw no (directed at, intended to belong to) · pl ku (towards) · la ob (directed at, intended to belong to) · ru к (towards) · de wegen (because of) · dsb za (in order to obtain or acquire) · nl lang (over (a period of time)) · dsb za (directed at, intended to belong to) · ang for (because of) · ca per (towards) · ja ...のために (directed at, intended to belong to) · sv för (supporting) · el για (towards) · pl za (because of) · ga ar feadh (over (a period of time)) · el υπέρ (supporting) · lt dėl (because of) · he בִּשְׁבִיל (directed at, intended to belong to) · uk на (towards) · cs k (towards) · arz لـ (by the standards of) · mt minħabba (because of) · ar لِـ (over (a period of time)) · grc πρός (towards) · la pro (supporting) · sk za (because of) · ro pentru (over (a period of time)) · eo pro (because of) · pl za (supporting) · sm mo (directed at, intended to belong to) · ro preț de (over (a period of time)) · he לְ־ (directed at, intended to belong to) · de lang (over (a period of time)) · hu -nek (towards) · he לְ־ (towards) · rm per (directed at, intended to belong to) · es por (over (a period of time)) · fi -sta (because of) · cs za (because of) · cy i (directed at, intended to belong to) · fi puolesta (supporting) · eo ĉar (because of) · bn জন্য (because of) · uk зара́ди (directed at, intended to belong to) · fr pour (directed at, intended to belong to) · mt għall- (towards) · mi mo (directed at, intended to belong to) · arz لـ (towards) · pl do (towards) · pt para (towards) · fr pendant (over (a period of time)) · ar لِأَجْل (because of) · la ex (because of) · eo por (in order to obtain or acquire) · ar لِأَجْل (in order to obtain or acquire) · ca per (directed at, intended to belong to) · es por (in order to obtain or acquire) · arz بالنسبة لـ (by the standards of) · fi ajan (over (a period of time)) · ga faoi dhéin (in order to obtain or acquire) · ba өсөн (directed at, intended to belong to) · grc πρός (directed at, intended to belong to) · cy ar gyfer (towards) · nl voor (over (a period of time)) · no mot (towards) · de tagelang etc. (over (a period of time)) · ist par (directed at, intended to belong to) · ga go ceann (over (a period of time)) · ang tō (towards) · ga ar son (in order to obtain or acquire) · ar لِـ (by the standards of) · fa برای (directed at, intended to belong to) · la ob (in order to obtain or acquire) · cmn 為 /为 (directed at, intended to belong to) · hu -nak (towards) · sh za (directed at, intended to belong to) · ar لِـ (directed at, intended to belong to) · pa ਲਈ (directed at, intended to belong to) · pl przez (over (a period of time)) · lij pe (in order to obtain or acquire) · bn জন্য (over (a period of time)) · pt por causa de (because of) · la ob (supporting) · ga le haghaidh (directed at, intended to belong to) · fr pour (in order to obtain or acquire) · kw rag (directed at, intended to belong to) · he בגלל (because of) · la e (because of) · es por (supporting) · ko 를/을 위해서 (directed at, intended to belong to) · he בכיוון (towards) · it per (directed at, intended to belong to) · ru и́з-за (because of) · fr vers (towards) · mhn ver (supporting) · fr pour (supporting) · ga feadh (over (a period of time)) · la per (over (a period of time)) · hu részére (directed at, intended to belong to) · kw dhe (directed at, intended to belong to) · fr pour (because of) · ga do (directed at, intended to belong to) · pt a (towards) · pt por (in order to obtain or acquire) · th สนับสนุน (supporting) · ty ei (directed at, intended to belong to) · ja で (because of) · ang tōġēanes (towards) · id untuk (because of) · la pro (because of) · cy i (towards) · sk pre (directed at, intended to belong to)