   

Meaning of for in English

 

for
preposition

UK  strong /fɔːr / weak /fər / US  strong /fɔːr /

weak /fɚ /

for preposition (INTENDED FOR)

Add to word list 

A1

intended to be given to:

• There's a phone message for you.

• I'd better buy something for the new baby.
• There's a prize for the fastest three runners
in each category.

 Fewer examples

• We're having a collection for Tom's

retirement present.
• Your shoes will be repaired and ready for
you to collect on Thursday.
• A young girl came up to me and asked
for money.
• There's a letter for you on the table.
• There'll be a prize for the best entry.

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (PURPOSE)

 

A2

having the purpose of:

• There's a sign there saying "boats for hire".

• This pool is for the use of hotel guests
only.
• I'm sorry, the books are not for sale.
• They've invited us for dinner on Saturday.
• Everyone in the office is contributing money
for his leaving present.
• I need some money for tonight.
• Which vitamins should you take for (= in
order to cure) skin problems?
• Put those clothes in a pile for washing (= so
that they can be washed).

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (BECAUSE OF)

 

A2

because of or as a result of something:

• I'm feeling all the better for my holiday.

• "How are you?" "Fine, and all the better for
seeing you!"
• She did 15 years in prison for murder.
• I don't eat meat for various reasons.
• I couldn't see for the tears in my eyes.
• The things you do for love!
• He's widely disliked in the company for his
arrogance.
• She couldn't talk for coughing (= she was
coughing too much to talk).
• Scotland is famous for its spectacular
countryside.
• He's best remembered for his novels.
• I didn't say anything for fear of (= because I
was frightened of) offending him.

 if it wasn't/weren't for (also if it hadn't been for)

 

without:

• If it wasn't for the life jacket, I would have

drowned.

See more

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (TIME/DISTANCE)

 

A1

used to show an amount of time or

distance:

• We walked for miles.

• She's out of the office for a few days next
week.
• I'm just going to lie down for an hour or so.
• I haven't played tennis for years.

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (OCCASION)

 

A2

on the occasion of or at the time of:

• What did you buy him for Christmas?

• I'd like an appointment with the doctor for
some time this week.
• We're having a party for Jim's 60th
birthday.
• I've booked a table at the restaurant for nine
o'clock.

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (COMPARING)

 

C1

used for comparing one thing with others

of the same type:

• She's very mature for her age.

• For every two people in favour of the law
there are three against.
• The winter has been unusually cold for
Florida.
• It was a difficult decision, especially for a
child.
• For a man of his wealth he's not exactly
generous.

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (RESPONSIBILITY)

 

C1

used to say whose responsibility

something is:

• She knew the driver of the other car was not

responsible for her son's death.

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (SUPPORT)

 

B2

in support of or in agreement with:

• I voted for the Greens at the last election.

• Those voting for the motion, 96, and those
voting against, 54.
• Most of the Republicans voted for the
measure.
• So let's hear some applause for these
talented young performers.
• Who's for (= who wants to play) tennis?

 be all for something

 

to approve of or support something very

much:

• I've got nothing against change - I'm all for

it.

See more

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (HELP)

 

B1

in order to help someone:

• Let me carry those bags for you.

• Hello, what can I do for you?
• My sister will take care of the dog for us
while we're away.

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (IN RELATION TO)

 

in relation to someone or something:

• Her feelings for him had changed.

• He felt nothing but contempt for her.
• I've got a lot of admiration for people who do
that sort of work.
• He's quite good-looking but he's too short for
me.
• The ice-cream was a little bit sweet for me.
• That jacket looks a little big for you.
• as for Jackie's already left and, as for me,
I'm going at the end of the month.
• Luckily for me (= I was lucky), I already had
another job.
• How are you doing for money/time (= do you
have enough money/time)?

 for all
 

C2

despite:

• For all her qualifications, she's still useless at

the job.

See more

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (PAYMENT)

 

A2

(getting) in exchange:

• How much did you pay for your glasses?

• I've sponsored her £1 for every mile that she
runs.
• She sold the house for a lot of money.
• The mechanic said he'd repair my car for
£300.

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (REPRESENTING)

 

B1

being employed by or representing a

company, country, etc.:

• She works for a charity.

• He swam for the United States in the 2000
Olympics.

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (TOWARDS)

 

A2

towards; in the direction of:

• They looked as if they were heading for the

train station.
• Just follow signs for the museum.
• This time tomorrow we'll be setting off for the
States.
• It says this train is for (= going to stop at)
Birmingham and Coventry only.

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (MEANING)

 

A2

showing meaning:

• What's the Spanish word for "vegetarian"?

• stand for What does the "M.J." stand for?
Maria José?

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (TO GET)

 

A2

in order to get or achieve:

• I hate waiting for public transport.

• I had to run for the bus.
• Did you send off for details of the
competition?
• I've applied for a job with another computer
company.

 More examples

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (DUTY)

 

the duty or responsibility of:

• As to whether you should marry him - that's

for you to decide.
• It's not for me to tell her what she should do
with her life.
• "How many people should I invite to the
party?" "It's not really for me to say."

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

for preposition (IN TROUBLE)

 for it UK informal (mainly US in for it)

 

in trouble:

• You'll be for it when she finds out!

See more

Grammar

For
For is usually a preposition and sometimes a
conjunction. …

For: purpose
We use for to talk about a purpose or a reason for
something: …

For someone
We often use for to introduce the person or people
receiving something: …

For: duration
We use for with a period of time to refer to duration
(how long something lasts): …

For: exchange
We use for to refer to an exchange: …

For meaning because

We sometimes use for as a conjunction meaning
‘because’. We use it in very formal, and often
literary, contexts: …

For in multi-word verbs

We often combine for with a verb to form a
multi-word verb: …

For + -ing
We use for + the -ing form of a verb to talk about the
function of something or how something is used: …

For + -ing: function

We use for + the -ing form of a verb to talk about the
function of something or how something is used: …

For + -ing: reason

We use for + the -ing form of a verb to refer to the
reason for something: …

For + -ing or to + infinitive?

We don’t use for + -ing to express our purpose or
intention. We use to + infinitive: …

During or for?
We use during to say when something happens, if it
happens in or over a period of time. We use for to
talk about the length of time something lasts. …

For or since?
We use for with a period of time in the past, present
or future. …

Idioms

for all someone cares/knows

that/there's ... for you
what ... for?

 

for
conjunction • old-fashioned or literary

UK  strong /fɔːr / weak /fər / US  strong /fɔːr /

weak /fɚ /

for conjunction (BECAUSE)

 

because; as:

• She remained silent, for her heart was heavy

and her spirits low.

 SMART Vocabulary: related words and

phrases

Grammar

For
For is usually a preposition and sometimes a
conjunction. …

For: purpose
We use for to talk about a purpose or a reason for
something: …

For someone
We often use for to introduce the person or people
receiving something: …

For: duration
We use for with a period of time to refer to duration
(how long something lasts): …

For: exchange
We use for to refer to an exchange: …

For meaning because

We sometimes use for as a conjunction meaning
‘because’. We use it in very formal, and often
literary, contexts: …

For in multi-word verbs

We often combine for with a verb to form a
multi-word verb: …

(Definition of for from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary &

Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

for | AMERICAN DICTIONARY

for
preposition

US  /fɔr , fər /

for preposition (TO BE GIVEN)

Add to word list 

intended to be given to:

• There’s a phone message for you on your

desk.
• There will be a prize for the best costume at
the party.

for preposition (PURPOSE)

 

having the purpose of:

• What do you imagine he uses this old thing

for?
• Why don’t you take an aspirin for your
headache (= to stop it)?
 for preposition (BECAUSE OF)
 

because of; as a result of (doing

something):

• She was stopped for speeding.

• The things we do for love!
• For some reason, she isn’t interested in
going out at all tonight.
• Certain Chicago restaurants are famous for
their deep-dish pizza.

for preposition (INSTEAD OF)

 

instead of; to help:

• Let me carry those groceries to the car for

you.

for preposition (TIME/DISTANCE)

 

showing amount of time or distance:

• We drove for miles.

• She’s out of town for a few days on
business.

for preposition (OCCASION)

 

on the occasion of or at the time of:

• What are you getting Mom and Dad for their

anniversary?
• We’re planning a party for Stephen’s
birthday.
• The neighbors invited us for dinner (= to eat
with them).
• What’s for lunch (= what will we eat)?

for preposition (CONSIDERING)

 

considering (something or someone with

reference to things or people as they
usually are):

• This winter has been mild for Canada.

• I think Kristy is very mature for her age.

for preposition (SUPPORT)

 

in support of or agreement with:

• I voted for her in the last election.

• We thought about moving, and I was all for it,
but my wife didn’t want to.

for preposition (IN RELATION TO)

 

in relation to (someone or something):

• Her feelings for him were obvious.

• That jacket is a bit big for you.

for preposition (PAYMENT)

 

(getting) in exchange:

• If I take the car in, it’ll be $45 for a tuneup.

for preposition (REPRESENTING)

 

representing (an organization or country):

• Michael works for a Washington-based

foundation.
• She carried the flag for the US at the
opening ceremonies.

for preposition (TOWARD)

 

toward; in the direction of:

• Just follow signs for the airport once you’re

on the highway.

for preposition (MEANING)

 

meaning; representing:

• What’s another word for "happy"?

for preposition (TO GET)

 

in order to get or have:

• I had to wait half an hour for the bus.

• Call the phone number below for more
information.

for preposition (DUTY)

 

the duty or responsibility of:

• It’s not for her to say whether I should cut my

hair.

Idioms

for a price
for a song
for crying out loud
for dear life
for effect
for good
for goodness’ sake
for keeps
for old times’ sake
for one thing

 More idioms

 

for
conjunction

US  /fɔr , fər /

for conjunction (BECAUSE)

 

because; as:

• She told the truth, for she had nothing to

lose.

(Definition of for from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary ©

Cambridge University Press)

What is the pronunciation of for? 

Translations of for

in Chinese (Traditional)

為…⽽準備, （表⽰給予的物件）給, ⽬的…

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in Chinese (Simplified)

为…⽽准备, （表示给予的对象）给, ⽬的…

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in Spanish

para, por, desde hace…

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in Portuguese

para, por, por causa de…

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in more languages 

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footy

fop

foppish

foppishly

for

for (good) luck idiom

for a change

for a laugh idiom

for a man/woman/person of his/her years idiom

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More meanings of for

 All

if
save
done for
make for something
spoken for
tit for tat
but for someone/something

See all meanings

 Phrasal Verbs

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December 27, 2023

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