What does "teleology" mean?
The study of the purpose or design of natural occurrences.
Teleology
/ˌtiː.liˈɒ.lə.dʒi/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The study of the purpose or design of natural occurrences.
- Grammar: teleology is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: aim, butt, destination, end.
- Usage evidence: There are no such things as functions, no purposes, no teleology at all in the world.
How to use "teleology"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "teleology" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "teleology" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "teleology" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "teleology" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "teleology" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "aim" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "teleology", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The study of the purpose or design of natural occurrences. countable, uncountable
"The received intellectual tradition has it that, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, revolutionary philosophers began to curtail and reject the teleology of the medieval and scholastic Aristotelians, abandoning final causes in favor of a purely mechanistic model of the Universe."
- 2 (philosophy) a doctrine explaining phenomena by their ends or purposes wordnet
- 3 An instance of such a design or purpose, usually in natural phenomena. broadly, countable, uncountable
"In short, what every student of biology knows – that within nature there is a teleology having to do with the survival of the species which underpins the distinction between the two sexes and produces between them a natural affinity for one another – no surgeon who knows what is good for him may now say."
- 4 The use of a purpose or design rather than the laws of nature to explain an occurrence. countable, uncountable
Example
"There are no such things as functions, no purposes, no teleology at all in the world."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "teleology"?
Common synonyms include: aim, butt, destination, end, game, goal.
How do you use "teleology" in a sentence?
There are no such things as functions, no purposes, no teleology at all in the world.
How do you pronounce "teleology"?
Pronounced /ˌtiː.liˈɒ.lə.dʒi/.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek τέλος (télos, “purpose”), genitive τέλεος (téleos), and λόγος (lógos, “word, speech, discourse”).