for

Meanings

1. 1
   conj

   Because.

   I had to stay with my wicked stepmother, for I had nowhere else to go.

2. 2
   prep

   Towards; in the direction of.

   The astronauts headed for the moon.

3. 3
   prep

   Directed at; intended to belong to.

   I have something for you.

4. 4
   prep

   In order to help, benefit, gratify, honor etc. (someone or something).

   Everything I do, I do for you.

5. 5
   prep

   Befitting of someone’s beliefs, needs, wants, skills, or tastes; best suited to.

   I’ll strike a blow for you.

6. 6
   prep

   To be used or treated in a stated way, or with a stated purpose.

   This is a new bell for my bicycle.

7. 7
   prep

   Supporting, in favour of.

   All those for the motion, raise your hands.

8. 8
   prep

   Because of.

   He wouldn't apologize; and just for that, she refused to help him.

Etymology

From Middle English for, from Old English for (“for, because of”), from Proto-Germanic *furi (“for”), from Proto-Indo-European *preh₂-. Cognate with West Frisian 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”) and Romance language descendants (e.g. Spanish por (“for”)), Ancient Greek περί (perí, “for, about, toward”), Lithuanian per (“by, through, during”), Slovak pre (“for”), Sanskrit परि (pári, “over, around”).