Usage vs. Purpose — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Usage and Purpose
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Compare with Definitions
Usage
The action of using something or the fact of being used
The usage of equipment
A survey of water usage
Purpose
The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or goal
Her purpose in coming here is to talk to you. The purpose of an airliner is to transport people.
Usage
The act, manner, or amount of using; use
Patterns of computer usage.
An instrument that measures water usage.
Purpose
Determination; resolution
He was a man of purpose.
Usage
The act or manner of treating; treatment
Subjected the car to rough usage.
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Purpose
To intend or resolve
"the gap between what is said and what is purposed" (Ian Donaldson).
Usage
Habitual or accepted practice
Customs that have faded from common usage.
Purpose
The end for which something is done, is made or exists.
What is the purpose of your visit?
My purpose in coming to Egypt was simply to take it en route to the desert.
It has been my purpose to illustrate rather than to explain.
The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.
The purpose of the device is to prevent the breechblock from opening accidentally should the gun be held barrel down.
The purpose of this letter is to set the record straight.
The purpose of this book is to study the interrelationship of government and religion.
The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.
Usage
A usual, habitual, or accepted practice
Manners and other social usages.
Purpose
Function, role.
Usage
The way in which words or phrases are actually used, spoken, or written in a speech community
"Dictionaries are but the depositories of words already legitimated by usage" (Thomas Jefferson).
Purpose
(Sense of having a) meaning for existing or doing something.
Usage
A particular expression in speech or writing
A nonce usage.
Purpose
Resolution; determination.
Usage
Habit, practice.
Purpose
(obsolete) The subject of discourse; the point at issue.
Usage
A custom or established practice.
Purpose
(transitive) To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
Usage
(uncountable) Custom, tradition.
Purpose
(intransitive) To have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.
Usage
Utilization.
Purpose
To discourse.
Usage
The act of using something; use, employment.
Purpose
That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim; design; intention; plan.
He will his firste purpos modify.
As my eternal purpose hath decreed.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertookUnless the deed go with it.
Usage
The established custom of using language; the ways and contexts in which spoken and written words are used, especially by a certain group of people or in a certain region.
Purpose
Proposal to another; discourse.
Usage
Action towards someone; treatment, especially in negative sense.
Purpose
Instance; example.
Usage
The act of using; mode of using or treating; treatment; conduct with respect to a person or a thing; as, good usage; ill usage; hard usage.
My brotherIs prisoner to the bishop here, at whose handsHe hath good usage and great liberty.
Purpose
To set forth; to bring forward.
Usage
Manners; conduct; behavior.
A gentle nymph was found,Hight Astery, excelling all the crewIn courteous usage.
Purpose
To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; - often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause.
Did nothing purpose against the state.
I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living.
Usage
Long-continued practice; customary mode of procedure; custom; habitual use; method.
It has now been, during many years, the grave and decoroususage of Parliaments to hear, in respectful silence, all expressions, acceptable or unacceptable, which are uttered from the throne.
Purpose
To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
Usage
Customary use or employment, as of a word or phrase in a particular sense or signification.
Purpose
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
Usage
Experience.
In eld [old age] is both wisdom and usage.
Purpose
What something is used for;
The function of an auger is to bore holes
Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
Usage
The act of using;
He warned against the use of narcotic drugs
Skilled in the utilization of computers
Purpose
The quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
His determination showed in his every movement
He is a man of purpose
Usage
Accepted or habitual practice
Purpose
Propose or intend;
I aim to arrive at noon
Purpose
Reach a decision;
He resolved never to drink again
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