for

1 of 5

preposition

fər,

(ˈ)fȯr 

 Southern also  (ˈ)fär

1

a

—used as a function word to indicate purpose

a grant for studying medicine

b

—used as a function word to indicate an intended goal

left for home

acted for the best

c

—used as a function word to indicate the object or recipient of a perception, desire, or activity

now for a good rest

run for your life

an eye for a bargain

2

a

: as being or constituting

taken for a fool

eggs for breakfast

b

—used as a function word to indicate an actual or implied enumeration or selection

for one thing, the price is too high

3

: because of

can't sleep for the heat

4

—used as a function word to indicate suitability or fitness

it is not for you to choose

ready for action

5

a

: in place of

go to the store for me

b(1)

: on behalf of : representing

speaks for the court

(2)

: in favor of

all for the plan

6

: in spite of

—usually used with all

for all his large size, he moves gracefully

7

: with respect to : concerning

a stickler for detail

heavy for its size

8

a

—used as a function word to indicate equivalence in exchange

$10 for a hat

, equality in number or quantity

point for point

, or correspondence or correlation

for every one that works, you'll find five that don't

b

—used as a function word to indicate number of attempts

0 for 4

9

—used as a function word to indicate duration of time or extent of space

gone for two days

10

: in honor of : after

named for her grandmother

for

2 of 5

conjunction

: for the reason that : on this ground : because

for

3 of 5

abbreviation (1)

1

foreign

2

forestry

FOR

4 of 5

abbreviation (2)

free on rail

for-

5 of 5

prefix

1

: so as to involve prohibition, exclusion, omission, failure, neglect, or refusal

forbid

2

: destructively or detrimentally

fordo

3

: completely : excessively : to exhaustion : to pieces

forspent

Synonyms

Conjunction

• 'cause
• as
• as long as
• because
• being (as or as how or that) [chiefly dialect]
• considering
• inasmuch as
• now
• seeing
• since
• whereas

Examples of for in a Sentence

Conjunction

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

On Friday morning, the defense team called the executive director of mental health services for the Indiana Department of Correction to the stand. —Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Nov. 2024

Wide selection of original art will be for sale at the gallery and online. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2024

The menu is scheduled to be released on Nov. 7, the same day the company will stop charging extra for customizing drinks with non-dairy milk. —Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Samples of stools can be tested for disease markers, making this a standard for diagnosing a wide range of GI diseases. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Preposition and Conjunction

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 — more at fare

Prefix

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German far- for-, Old English for

First Known Use

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Conjunction

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

for

1 of 2 preposition

fər 

(ˈ)fȯ(ə)r

1

—used to indicate a purpose

money for lunch

, an intended goal

left for work

, or an object of one's desire

now for a good rest

2

: as being

do you take me for a fool

eggs for breakfast

3

: because of

cried for joy

4

a

: in support of

fighting for their country

b

—used to indicate suitability or fitness

it's not for me to say

medicine for an illness

c

: so as to bring about a certain state

shouted the news for all to hear

5

a

: in place of

go to the store for me

b

: as the equal or equivalent of in an exchange or loan

paid $10 for a hat

6

: in spite of

unconvinced for all the clever arguments

7

: with respect to : concerning

had an eye for news

8

—used to indicate equality or proportion

point for point

tall for your age

9

—used to indicate length of time or extent of space

waited for several hours

10

: after entry 2 sense 3a

named for my grandmother

for

2 of 2 conjunction

: for the reason that : on this ground : because

they were certainly there, for I saw them

Legal Definition

for

preposition

1

: because of

a statute void for vagueness

2

: on behalf of : as the representative of

attorney general's office for petitioner