Purposely vs Purposefully
Published January 25, 2023. Updated January 25, 2023.
Purposely and purposefully may look and sound similar, but they have slightly different meanings and uses. Purposely and purposefully are both adverbs meaning “with purpose.” The nuance between the words is that purposefully can sometimes be used to describe a verb being done with careful meaning or specific intent. Furthermore, purposely and purposely are both used to describe a verb done with purpose.
Here are some definitions and examples to help clarify the meaning of these words.
Purposely (adverb)
With purpose
Examples:
I purposely told her to get her jacket, knowing she would forget.
He wondered if the bill was purposely high or if it was an accident.
In both examples, purposely is used as an adverb to mean “with purpose.”
Purposefully (adverb)
With purpose; with specific meaning or intent
Examples:
She purposefully kept quiet about the touchy subject.
I could tell the hand-sewn mittens were purposefully made for the cold weather.
In the first example, purposefully is used to mean “with purpose.” In the second example, purposefully conveys the more nuanced meaning of intentional.
Main Points
- Purposely and purposefully are both adverbs meaning “with purpose.”
- Purposefully can sometimes be used to describe a verb being done with specific meaningful or intent.