1 for
/ˈfoɚ/ /fɚ/
preposition
1 for
/ˈfoɚ/ /fɚ/
preposition
Britannica Dictionary definition of FOR
1
a
— used to indicate the place someone or something is going to or toward
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He just left for the office.
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We're heading for home.
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When's the next train for [=to] London?
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b
— used to indicate the person or thing that something is sent or given to
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Are there any letters for me?
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This present is for you.
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She baked a cake for me.
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2
a
— used to indicate the thing that something is meant to be used with
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There's a separate slot for out-of-town mail.
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Are these the tires for this car?
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The scenery for the play is beautiful.
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This food is for the party.
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b
— used to indicate the person or type of person who should use or have something
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The store sells suits for tall men.
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This is just right for me.
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That job is not for me. [=that job would not suit me]
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Who's the best/right person for the job?
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3
a
— used to indicate the use of something
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an instrument for measuring speed
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b
— used to indicate why something is done
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She's dressing for dinner.
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Squirrels were storing nuts for the winter.
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He's making plans for retirement.
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studying for examinations
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They shouted the news for all to hear. [=so that all could hear it]
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4
— used to indicate the person that a statement refers to
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Seeing her again must be difficult for him.
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— often followed by to + verb
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It's time for us to get busy.
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For him to confess would be painful.
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That's too heavy for you to carry.
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(chiefly US) I'd hate for you to miss the show. [=I'd hate it if you missed the show]
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5
a
:
in order to help or cause (something)
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We are working for the good of humanity.
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This is for your own good. [=to help you]
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They believe that they are acting for the best. [=they are doing what is best]
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b
:
in order to get (something)
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For more information, call our main office.
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Everybody ran for safety/shelter when the shooting started.
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6
:
in favor of (someone or something)
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Which candidate are you for?
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You're either for [=with] me or you're against me.
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the case for and the case against disarmament
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I am all for [=completely in favor of] freedom of speech.
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7
:
because of (something)
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He shouted for joy.
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He wept for sorrow.
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He was decorated for bravery.
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8
— used to indicate the person or thing toward which feelings, thoughts, etc., are directed
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He was hungry for praise.
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They are longing for home.
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I can't help feeling sorry for him.
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She has a taste for spicy food. [=she enjoys spicy food]
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9
a
— used to indicate an amount of time or space
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You can see for miles from the top of the hill.
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She won't be here for long.
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She won't get here for hours (yet).
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We're staying there for the summer.
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b
— used to indicate the time when something happens or will happen
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The wedding is planned for next April.
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We've invited her for 8 p.m.
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c
— used to indicate the time that a statement refers to
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That's all for now/today.
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10
a
:
in place of (someone or something else)
:
instead of (someone or something else)
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Would you go to the store for me?
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Johnson is now batting for Smith.
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b
:
as a representative of (someone)
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His lawyer will act for him in this affair.
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I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say “Well Done!”
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c
:
in order to help or serve (someone or something)
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What else can I do for you?
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Let me carry that for you.
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They fought and died for their country.
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11
:
in order to cure or treat (an illness, injury, disease, etc.)
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You should take something for that cough.
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12
— used to indicate the amount or value of something
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a check for $100
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13
— used to indicate the meaning of a word
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The French word for “good” is “bon.”
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14
— used to indicate the food that is eaten at a meal
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I ordered eggs for breakfast.
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What did you have for dinner?
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15
:
as an employee, member, player, etc., of (something)
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She works for the government.
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He plays for Denver.
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16
chiefly US
:
with the name of (someone)
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He was named for [=after] his grandfather. [=he was given the same name as his grandfather]
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17
— used to indicate the parts of a list or series
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For one thing, we have no money; for another, we have no time.
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People don't buy it because, for one thing, the price is too high.
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18
— used to refer to something that is surprising or unexpected when compared to something else
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He's tall for his age. [=he is taller than you would expect someone his age to be]
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It's been very cool for May.
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That was a good score for him. = For him, that was a good score.
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19
— used to indicate the relationship between numbers or amounts that are being compared
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For every good writer there are a dozen bad ones.
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20
— used in various emphatic phrases
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I for one will vote for him. [=I will definitely vote for him]
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For the last time, will you stop that noise!
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I wish you'd be sensible for once.
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for all
1
:
in spite of (something)
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You don't convince me for all your clever arguments.
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For all his education, he's pretty dumb when it comes to home repair.
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2
— used in phrases like for all someone knows and for all someone cares to say that someone does not know, care, etc., about something
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For all I know, she's still there. [=she may still be there, but I don't know]
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For all he cares, we might as well be dead! [=he doesn't care if we're dead or not]
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for ever (and ever)
— see ever
for real
— see 1real
if not for
— see 1if
in for
informal
:
certain to experience (something)
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She's in for a big surprise.
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in for it
informal
or British
for it
:
certain to be punished
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If his parents find out what he's done, he'll be in for it.
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in order for
— see 1order
not for (someone) to do something
:
not the right or duty of (someone) to do something
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It is not for you to say that she can't go. [=it is not appropriate for you to say she can't go; you cannot decide that she cannot go]
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once and for all
— see 1once
that's/there's…for you
informal
— used to say that something is very good, very disappointing, or very common
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They brought me the package on Christmas Day! Now that's real service for you! [=bringing the package on Christmas Day was excellent service]
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They didn't even send me a Christmas card! There's gratitude for you! [=they were very ungrateful not to send me a Christmas card]
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He stays up late, playing video games and listening to music. That's a teenager for you. [=that's how a typical teenager behaves]
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2 for
/ˈfoɚ/ /fɚ/
conjunction
2 for
/ˈfoɚ/ /fɚ/
conjunction
Britannica Dictionary definition of FOR
formal + literary
:
because
— used to introduce a statement that explains why a preceding statement is true
-
They were certainly there, for I saw them.
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