FOR | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English for, probably a reduction of a Germanic preposition meaning ‘before’ (in place or time); related to German für, also to fore

in support of or in favour of (a person or policy)

in support of or in favour of

• troops who had fought for Napoleon
• they voted for independence in a referendum

affecting, with regard to, or in respect of

affecting or in respect of

• she is responsible for the efficient running of their department
• the demand for money

on behalf of or to the benefit of

on behalf of or to the benefit of

• I got a present for you
• these parents aren't speaking for everyone

having (the thing mentioned) as a purpose or function

having as purpose or function

• networks for the exchange of information
• the necessary tools for making a picture frame

having (the thing mentioned) as a reason or cause

having as reason or cause

• Aileen is proud of her family for their support
• I could dance and sing for joy

having (the place mentioned) as a destination

having as destination

• they are leaving for London tomorrow

representing (the thing mentioned)

representing thing mentioned

• the ‘F’ is for Fascinating

in place of or in exchange for

in exchange for

• will you swap these two bottles for that one?

in relation to the expected norm of

in relation to expected norm of

• she was tall for her age
• it's quite warm for this time of year

indicating the length of (a period of time)

indicating length of period of time

• he was jailed for 12 years
• I haven't seen him for some time

indicating the extent of (a distance)

indicating extent of distance

• he crawled for 300 yards

indicating an occasion in a series

indicating occasion in series

• the camcorder failed for the third time

because; since

because

• he felt guilty, for he knew that he bore a share of responsibility for Fanny's death