noun

ends

ends, purposes, goals, extremities

The ends justify the means.

The ends justify the means.

He is struggling to make ends meet.

He is struggling to make ends meet.

We tied the two ends of the rope together.

We tied the two ends of the rope together.

the ends justify the means a phrase meaning a desired result is so important that any method is acceptable The ends justify the means is a dangerous philosophy.

to make ends meet to have just enough money for one's needs It's hard to make ends meet on a low salary.

the ends of sth. the extremities of an object Please hold both ends of the banner.

Synonyms: goals, objectives, purposes, aims

Plural of 'end'. The meaning 'purpose' comes from the idea of the 'end result' you are aiming for.

Think of your 'ends' as the final destination or 'end' of your journey. 'To make ends meet' is like trying to make the end of your money meet the end of the month.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.