an end in itself

0.01 sec.

*an end in itself

existing for its own sake; existing for no clear purpose. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) For Bob, art is an end in itself. He doesn't hope to make any money from it. Learning is an end in itself. Knowledge does not have to have a practical application.

See also: end, itself

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback

References in classic literature	?		Idioms browser	?		Full browser	?
Every man's work, pursued steadily, tends in this way to become an end in itself, and so to bridge over the loveless chasms of his life. Silas Marner by Eliot, George View in context She had accepted it as a place to live in, as an end in itself. The Valley of the Moon by London, Jack View in context This inalienable habit of saving, as an end in itself, belonged to the industrious men of business of a former generation, who made their fortunes slowly, almost as the tracking of the fox belongs to the harrier,--it constituted them a "race," which is nearly lost in these days of rapid money-getting, when lavishness comes close on the back of want. The Mill on the Floss by Eliot, George View in context			an act of faith an act of God an act of war an aide-mémoire an Aladdin's cave an all-out effort an all-rounder an amber gambler an ambulance chaser An apple a day keeps the doctor away an arm and a leg An army marches on its stomach an article of faith an attack an awkward customer an eager beaver an earful an early bath an early bird an earth mother an educated guess an ego trip an embarrassment of riches an éminence grise An empty sack cannot stand upright an end in itself an enfant terrible An Englishman's home is his castle an even break An eye for an eye an Indian summer an inside job an iron fist in a velvet glove an iron man an ivory tower an old chestnut an old flame an old hand an old head on young shoulders an old maid an old wives' tale an open book an open marriage an open sesame an own goal an ugly duckling an Uncle Tom an unknown quantity an uphill battle ancient history and			An Association for Scientific Research on the Addictions an attack An Automated Victim Notification System an awkward customer An Baile Meánach An Baile Meánach An Comhaontas Ghaelach Tuathúil An Comunn Gaidhealach - America An Daingean An Daingean An der Donau an der Saale an der Saale an eager beaver an earful an early bath an early bird an earth mother an educated guess An educational institution An educational institution an ego trip an elegant sufficiency an embarrassment of riches an éminence grise An empty sack cannot stand upright an end an end an end an end an end in itself An End to Intolerance An Endless Sporadic an enfant terrible An Englishman's home is his castle An Entrepreneur An Entrepreneur An Entrepreneur An Entrepreneur an equal percentage An Essay on Criticism An Eternity of Twilight an even break An Evolutionary System for On-line Programming An Experiment in Web Indexing An Experimental Design Approach An Expert System for Shipboard Obscuration Prediction an eye for an eye an eye for an eye an eye for an eye an eye for an eye an eye for an eye an eye for an eye an eye on an eye over An Foras Taluntais An Garda Siochana An Garda Siochána An Garda Síochana An Garda Síochána An Gir

Idioms and phrases

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.