English Explanatory Dictionary

raison d'être

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A reason for being; the claimed reason for the existence of something or someone; the sole or ultimate purpose of something or someone.

Pronunciation

/ˌɹeɪzɒ̃ ˈdɛtɹə/ /ˌɹɛzɒ̃ ˈdɛtɹə/ /ˌɹeɪzɒn ˈdɛtɹə/ en-uk-raison d'etre.ogg /ˌɹeɪzɑn ˈdɛtɹə/

Word forms

raison d'être raisons d'être raison d'êtres raison d'etre

Etymology

Borrowed from French raison d'être (literally “a reason to be”).

Related words

be-all and end-all my everything raison d'état ikigai
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