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end

end

350 1.0
The aim of a plan or action
  • noun
  • /ɛnd/
: objetivo
  • The organization focuses on the end of homelessness through various outreach programs.
  • means to an end
  • an end goal
  • with an end in mind

So what are we quantifying and to what end Can why?

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Examples

  • Their end was to create a more sustainable community by promoting green practices.

  • That for me is not an end in itself.

  • But developing the means to that end takes working together and talking together.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Furthermore, these skills and behaviors should be the end result of a student's time in school.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The responsibility to ensure a negotiated end to the conflict lies with states and other political actors.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Lincoln found that the highest political end is expressed by the Declaration of Independence.

    Academic text (1999)
  • In 2008, raised hopes that Washington would finally put an end to the decades-long "war on drugs."

    Academic text (2012)
  • The Chinese government has persistently worked toward this end since the founding of the People's Republic.

    Academic text (1999)
  • You have to convince me you aren't just fiddling around... hoping it'll all come out right in the end.

  • Our main end is to improve the quality of education in underprivileged areas.

Synonyms

goal
vsend
∞ 1.0

A result a person or group plans to achieve

is the broader intended purpose guiding that result
intention
vsend
713 2.2

A plan or purpose for what you will do

is the external aim a plan seeks to achieve rather than the inner plan
objective
vsend
363 3.7

A goal a person or group wants to achieve

is the general purpose of a plan or action rather than a specific target
target
vsend
336 1.6

A goal a person or group tries to reach

is the intended purpose of an action that may not be measured
object
vsend
  • Formal
59 3.7

A goal someone wants to reach

is the intended outcome of a plan rather than the motive for action
destination
vsend
34 2.6

The goal someone wants to reach

is the practical aim of a plan or action rather than a location
telos
vsend
  • Formal
1 9.9

The main purpose that something aims for

is the immediate aim of a plan rather than a philosophical final purpose

Idioms

835 1.0

Finally, after everything has been thought about

no end
  • Informal
70 7.7

Very much or for a very long time

end of story
  • Informal
53 5.3

A phrase that shows a decision is final and cannot be discussed

to that end
  • Formal
41 4.0

To make that happen

end of the world
  • Informal
40 3.7

A situation that seems like a disaster but is often not as bad

A sign that a hard time will soon end or get better

The final part of a difficult situation that ends badly

11 3.7

For many days in a row without stopping

10 8.1

To be told again and again about something you did wrong in an angry way

10 5.5

Keep doing something until it is completely finished, even when it is very hard

To have other people keep talking about something embarrassing or annoying

8 7.1

To get a worse or unfair result than others

to end in tears
  • Informal
5 6.0

Finish badly and leave people sad or disappointed after a hopeful start

4 7.6

The most important thing or main aim

3 4.6

To finish in an exciting and memorable way

which end is up
  • Informal
2 9.9

To know what is happening in a confusing situation

1 7.8

To understand how things work in a place or job

1 9.9

A very remote place far from towns and cities

1 9.9

A very remote place far from towns or cities

1 8.2

To have to do something difficult without preparation

A place very far away inside the same country

the living end
  • Archaic
1 8.2

Something people think is the best and most exciting

1 7.8

Start a difficult task without much preparation or experience

A way of looking at a situation that makes small details seem more important than the big picture

The worst part of a situation that someone gets

1 7.8

Put suddenly into a difficult situation without preparation or help

back end of a bus
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Something that looks very ugly and unpleasant

Finish in a way that leaves people disappointed or unhappy

To end up by chance with an unpleasant task or in a worse position

to end in smoke
  • Informal
8.1

To fail completely and have no useful result

You are unable to deal with something because you have no patience or energy

Very tired and cannot deal with a situation any more

A face that people think is very ugly

8.3

To die in a sudden or violent way

Do what you promised in an agreement

Continue doing your part for the team when things are hard

To think about things beyond your own immediate needs

Compounds

130 3.6

A situation where no further progress or solution is possible

106 7.9

The final event when God judges all people and decides their eternal fate

loose end
  • Informal
67 3.7

An unfinished small task or detail that still needs doing

The point when something stops or finishes

tight end
  • Jargon
48 6.3

In American football, a player on offense who lines up next to the tackle and blocks and catches passes

36 4.9

A job or situation that gives no chance to move up and get better

rear end
  • Informal
31 2.0

The soft part of the body you sit on

end user
  • Specialized
29 3.2

People who use a product or service, not makers and sellers

27 3.6

The part at the forward side of something that you meet first, like a car's nose

receiving end
  • Informal
26 4.4

A person or group who faces the bad effects of someone else's action

26 2.7

The time at the end of the year when businesses check accounts or finish activities

25 3.8

The rear part of something opposite the front

22 3.2

Happening at the end of a company's financial year

18 6.8

The most important goal or purpose of something

17 4.3

An important time that finishes and many people remember

bitter end
  • Informal
17 5.6

The final, most difficult part of something that you keep doing until it ends

16 3.5

The last part of something, especially a period or event

16 3.1

A part of west central London known for its theatres and shops

16 3.9

The place or moment when something finishes

14 4.6

For the whole time from the start to the finish

end run
  • US
12 7.6

A way of avoiding a rule or decision by acting cleverly

11 3.5

The eastern part of central London that has many cultures and lively markets

11 3.3

A final thing made after a process, like a machine or medicine

10 3.7

A job where you cannot get a better position

deep end
  • Informal
10 5.6

A difficult situation that forces someone new to cope

business end
  • Informal
8 4.7

The part that does the real work, like the sharp end of a knife

front end
  • Specialized
7 4.0

The part of a website or app that users see and use

7 2.7

A street or road that ends and does not go through

7 7.7

An indirect way to avoid a rule or problem

back end
  • Specialized
6 3.7

The part of a program that runs on a server and stores and processes data

A street that ends at one side so cars cannot drive through

5 2.0

The part of a pool where the water is not deep and safe for beginners

4 3.7

A part that sticks out at the back of something like an animal's rear

hind end
  • Informal
3 3.2

The part at the back of the body that you sit on

3 6.0

The pointed, dangerous part of a thing or the most risky part of a situation

2 4.2

Arranged one after another so each piece touches the next to form a line

2 7.4

The thicker end of something, often the handle of a tool

War to End War
  • Archaic
2 7.3

A name for World War I used by people who hoped it would stop future wars

closed-end fund
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A company that sells a set number of shares that trade on the stock market

end-to-end
  • Specialized
1 6.0

That protects data so only the sender and receiver can read or change it

1 7.3

A player who stands wide to catch passes for the team on offense

end organ
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A small part at the end of a nerve that senses touch or makes a muscle move

A part of central London with many theatres and shops

end point
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A network address where a service sends or receives data

nerve end
  • Specialized
1 5.8

The small tip of a nerve that sends and receives signals

end of the line
  • Specialized
1 5.3

The character that marks a break between lines of text

open-end fund
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A company that sells and buys shares directly at their daily price

sticky end
  • Archaic
1 7.7

A bad ending that often leaves someone hurt or killed

1 6.2

A decision about medical care when a person is near death, whether to continue life-saving treatment or focus on comfort

bitter end
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The inner end of a rope or chain that is fastened to a ship

1 6.9

A triangular wall at the end of a building under the sloping roof

open-end credit
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A borrowing plan that lets you borrow up to a set limit and use it again as you repay

end matter
  • Specialized
1 6.5

Written pages after the main text that give extra information, like an index or a list of sources

end run
  • Jargon
1 6.5

An attempt to move the ball by running around the end of the line in American football

fag end
  • UK
1 9.9

The last small part of something often thought less important

sticky end
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A short DNA end where one strand hangs out and joins a matching strand

fag end
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A frayed end of a piece of cloth or rope

open-end wrench
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A tool with two flat open jaws that grip nuts or bolts

1 8.6

A person standing at one end of a row of people

1 7.3

A small piece left at the very end of cloth or ribbon

box end wrench
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A wrench with a closed ring end that fits over a nut or bolt

genetic dead end
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A species or group that cannot have young and so ends its family line

1 8.1

A company that sells and buys back shares any time at a price based on its assets

1 8.7

Wealthy, powerful people who make major business or political decisions

The pointed end of a stick that can cut or poke

end man
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A performer at one end of a line in an old minstrel show who speaks and makes people laugh

1 7.9

A company that issues a fixed number of shares which are traded on a stock market

1 7.9

At the far end of a seaside pier that has simple shows, cafes and small attractions

end-plate
  • Specialized
1 8.4

The flat end of a nerve that sends signals to a muscle

A light, funny show on a British seaside pier with songs and jokes

motor end plate
  • Specialized
7.5

The place where a nerve connects to a muscle to make it move

idiot end
  • Informal
9.9

A foolish ending that gives no useful result

9.9

A thin, lean piece from the neck of lamb or veal for cooking

Surface Forms

end singular
ends plural

Etymology

The word end also came to mean an 'aim' or 'goal' because a plan's end is the final point to reach, which is why we talk about working toward an end or a purpose.