Phrase guide

to all intents and purposes

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

For every functional purpose; in every practical sense; in every important respect; practically speaking.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic

Examples

  • To all intents and purposes the case is closed.
  • This treaty is to all intents and purposes no longer viable.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in every practical sense

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • to all intents and purposes the case is closed
  • the rest are for all practical purposes useless

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: for all practical purposes, for all intents and purposes

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

1500s, English law, originally “to all intents, constructions, and purposes” (found in an act adopted under Henry VIII in 1547).

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: käytännössä — for every functional purpose
  • Hebrew: לכל דבר ועניין — for every functional purpose
  • Italian: a tutti gli effetti — for every functional purpose
  • Swedish: praktiskt taget — for every functional purpose
  • Swedish: i allt väsentligt — for every functional purpose
  • Swedish: så gott som — for every functional purpose