What does “for” mean?
- 1
prepositionintended to be given to or used by someone or something
I bought these flowers for you.
- 2
prepositionused to show a length of time
We lived in Boston for five years.
- 3
prepositionused to show a reason or purpose
Thanks for your help.
For at a glance
- Part of speech
- preposition
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /fɔr/ · FOR
How to use “for” correctly
Use “for” with a period of time (“for two hours”) and “since” with a starting point (“since 9 a.m.”).
Common phrases with “for”
- for example
- for a while
- for sale
- wait for
“for” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- about prepositionA1on the subject of; connected with
- at prepositionA1used to show an exact place or position
- by prepositionA1used to show who or what does something
- from prepositionA1used to show where someone or something starts or comes from
- in prepositionA1inside or within a place, container or area
- into prepositionA1moving to the inside of a place or container
- of prepositionA1belonging to or connected with someone or something
- on prepositionA1touching or supported by the top of a surface