preposition

for

Translation

for

This gift is for you.

I waited for an hour.

He left for the airport.

I'm happy for you.

for ((sb./sth.)) indicating the recipient or beneficiary This is a book for children.

for ((a period of time)) indicating duration We talked for two hours.

for ((a place)) indicating destination She left for New York.

for ((a reason)) indicating cause or reason He is famous for his novels.

Synonyms: to, because of, during

From Old English 'fore', meaning 'before, in front of, in place of'. It has a core meaning of indicating purpose or reason.

Think of 'for' as pointing towards something: a purpose, a person, a place, or a period of time.