for

forpreposition

For connects a thing to the purpose, person, cause, price, length of time, or place that it is meant for or aimed at.

1. purpose or usemeant to serve a particular purpose, use, or person

   • This knife is for cutting bread.
   • I bought a gift for my sister.
   • This room is for guests.
   • What's this button for?

   Collocations

   preposition + noun for sale, for rent

   Compare ago; since

2. in support ofin support of, or agreeing with, someone or something

   • Are you for or against the new law?
   • I voted for the new mayor.
   • Everyone on the team is for the plan.

   Antonyms against

   Compare against (for shows support; against shows opposition)

3. durationused to show the length of time something continues

   • We waited for two hours.
   • She lived in Paris for five years.
   • The meeting lasted for an hour.

   Compare since (for states a length of time (for two years); since states the point in time something began (since 2020))

4. in exchange forgiven in exchange as a price or payment

   • I paid twenty dollars for the tickets.
   • She traded her old car for a new one.
   • He exchanged his shirt for a larger size.

5. because ofas the reason or cause of something

   • He was famous for his kindness.
   • They thanked her for her help.
   • I'm sorry for the delay.

6. toward a destinationtoward a place that someone or something is going to

   • The train for Boston leaves at noon.
   • She left for the airport an hour ago.
   • We're heading for the mountains this weekend.