for

 
Pronunciation: /fɔː, fə/

preposition

  • 1in support of or in favour of (a person or policy): troops who had fought for Napoleon they voted for independence in a referendum
  • 2affecting, with regard to, or in respect of: she is responsible for the efficient running of their department the demand for money
  • 3on behalf of or to the benefit of: I got a present for you these parents aren’t speaking for everyone
  • employed by: she is a tutor for the Open University
  • 4having (the thing mentioned) as a purpose or function: networks for the exchange of information the necessary tools for making a picture frame
  • 5having (the thing mentioned) as a reason or cause: Aileen is proud of her family for their support I could dance and sing for joy
  • 6having (the place mentioned) as a destination: they are leaving for London tomorrow
  • 7representing (the thing mentioned): the ‘F’ is for Fascinating
  • 8in place of or in exchange for: will you swap these two bottles for that one?
  • charged as (a price): copies are available for £1.20
  • 9in relation to the expected norm of: she was tall for her age it’s quite warm for this time of year
  • 10indicating the length of (a period of time): he was jailed for 12 years I haven’t seen him for some time
  • 11indicating the extent of (a distance): he crawled for 300 yards
  • 12indicating an occasion in a series: the camcorder failed for the third time

conjunction

literary
  • because; since: he felt guilty, for he knew that he bore a share of responsibility for Fanny’s death

Phrases

be for it

British informal be in imminent danger of punishment or other trouble.

do something for one's country (or England etc.)

British informal used to indicate that someone does or can do the specified activity with great enthusiasm or tirelessness: you eating for England, Barry?

for Africa

South African informal in huge numbers or quantities; galore: I’ve got homework for Africa

for all ——

see all

for ever

see forever

for why

informal for what reason: you’re going to and I’ll tell you for why

oh for ——

I long for ——: oh for a strong black coffee!

there's (or that's) —— for you

used ironically to indicate a particularly poor example of (a quality mentioned): there’s gratitude for you

Origin:

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