• For

    Pronunciation
    • stressed
      • UK enPR: fôr, IPA: /fɔː(ɹ)/
      • US enPR: fôr, IPA: /fɔɹ/, /foʊɹ/
      • Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)
    • unstressed
      • UK IPA: /fÉ™(ɹ)/
      • US IPA: /fÉš/
    in the phrase "Wait for me".|lang=en}

    Origin

    From Middle English for, from Old English for ("for, on account of, for the sake of, through, because of, owing to, from, by reason of, as to, in order to"), from Proto-Germanic *furi ("for"), from Proto-Indo-European *peri- ("around"). Cognate with West Frisian for, foar ("for"), Dutch voor ("for"), German für ("for"), Danish for ("for"), Swedish för ("for"), Norwegian for ("for"), Icelandic fyrir ("for"), Latin per ("by, through, for, by means of"), Ancient Greek περί (peri, "for, about, toward"), Lithuanian per ("by, through, during"), Sanskrit परि (pári, "over, around").

    Full definition of for

    Conjunction

    1. Because.
      • 1900, L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chapter 23"By means of the Golden Cap I shall command the Winged Monkeys to carry you to the gates of the Emerald City," said Glinda, "for it would be a shame to deprive the people of so wonderful a ruler."
    2. He lost his job, for he got into trouble.

    Preposition

    1. Towards.The astronauts headed for the moon.
    2. Directed at, intended to belong to.I have something for you.
    3. Supporting (opposite of against).All those for the motion raise your hands.
    4. Because of.He wouldn't apologize; and just for that, she refused to help him.UK usage He looks better for having lost weight.She was the worse for drink.
      • Shakespearewith fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath
    5. Over a period of time.They fought for days over a silly pencil.
      • GarthTo guide the sun's bright chariot for a day.
    6. Throughout an extent of space.
      • ShakespeareFor many miles about
        There's scarce a bush.
    7. On behalf of.I will stand in for him.
    8. Instead of, or in place of.
      • Bible, Exodus xxi. 23, 24And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
    9. In order to obtain or acquire.I am aiming for completion by the end of business Thursday.He's going for his doctorate.Do you want to go for coffee?People all over Greece looked to Delphi for answers.Can you go to the store for some eggs?I'm saving up for a car.Don't wait for an answer.What did he ask you for?
      • DenhamHe writes not for money, nor for praise.
    10. In the direction of: marks a point one is going toward.Run for the hills!He was headed for the door when he remembered.
      • Francis BaconWe sailed from Peru for China and Japan.
    11. By the standards of, usually with the implication of those standards being lower than one might otherwise expect.Fair for its day.She's spry for an old lady.
    12. Despite, in spite of.
      • 1892 August 6, Charles Dickens, "The Unbidden Guest", in All the Year Round, page 133,Mr. Joseph Blenkinshaw was perhaps not worth quite so much as was reported; but for all that he was a very wealthy man ...
      • 1968, J. J. Scarisbrick, Henry VIII (page 240)For all his faults, there had been something lofty and great about him - as a judge, as a patron of education, as a builder, as an international figure.
    13. Used to indicate the subject of a to-infinitive.For that to happen now is incredibly unlikely. (=It is incredibly unlikely that that will happen now.)All I want is for you to be happy. (=All I want is that you be happy.)
    14. (chiefly US) Out of; used to indicate a fraction, a ratio
      In term of base hits, Jones was three for four on the day
    15. (cricket) used as part of a score to indicate the number of wickets that have fallen
      At close of play, England were 305 for 3.
    16. Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being.
      • CowleyWe take a falling meteor for a star.
      • John LockeIf a man can be fully assured of anything for a truth, without having examined, what is there that he may not embrace for true?
      • DrydenMost of our ingenious young men take up some cry'd-up English poet for their model.
      • PhilipsBut let her go for an ungrateful woman.
    17. Used to construe various verbs. See the entry for the phrasal verb.
    18. (obsolete) Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.
      • Beaumont and FletcherWe'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.

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