raison d'être
Reason for existing
Raison d'être is French for "reason for being"—the fundamental purpose that justifies something's existence.
A company's raison d'être might be innovation; a nonprofit's might be ending hunger.
The phrase often carries existential weight: Music was her raison d'être.
It can sound pretentious, but no English phrase captures quite the same meaning.
Strongly felt purpose
- missionPurpose-driven task
- meaningWhat something signifies
- whyReason-seeking query
- destinyPredetermined course of events
vocation · aim · objective · goal · function · role · intent · direction
Philosophy stressing self-created meaning
- meaning of lifeUltimate existential purpose
- absurdismPhilosophy embracing existence's irrationality
- nihilismRejection of objective meaning
- SartreFrench existentialist philosopher
Camus · Kierkegaard · authenticity · being · existence · angst · human condition
Stated basis for action
- groundsBasis for justification
- basisUnderlying support or principle
- defenseProtection against harm
- argumentReasoned case or dispute
vindication · warrant · legitimization · substantiation · validation · explanation · cause · account
Operate a vehicle
- passionIntense emotional drive
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- impetusForce initiating action
- incentiveReward encouraging action
stimulus · zeal · enthusiasm · determination · willpower · ambition · desire · urge
Achieving one's complete potential
- flourishingProspering vigorously
- thrivingSucceeding vigorously
- well-beingState of health, contentment
- contentmentPeaceful satisfaction with circumstances
actualization · realization · accomplishment · satisfaction · ikigai · dharma · self-fulfillment
calling
Strongly felt purpose
destiny · vocation · aim · objective · goal · function · role · intent · direction · focus
existentialism
Philosophy stressing self-created meaning
- meaning of lifeUltimate existential purpose
- absurdismPhilosophy embracing existence's irrationality
- nihilismRejection of objective meaning
Sartre · Camus · Kierkegaard · authenticity · being · existence · angst · human condition
rationale
Stated basis for action
argument · vindication · warrant · legitimization · substantiation · validation · explanation · cause · account · excuse
drive
Operate a vehicle
- passionIntense emotional drive
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- impetusForce initiating action
incentive · stimulus · zeal · enthusiasm · determination · willpower · ambition · desire · urge · fire
self-actualization
Achieving one's complete potential
- flourishingProspering vigorously
- thrivingSucceeding vigorously
- well-beingState of health, contentment
contentment · actualization · realization · accomplishment · satisfaction · ikigai · dharma · self-fulfillment
raison d'êtremeaninglessness
Lack of significance
purposelessness · pointlessness · futility · aimlessness · emptiness
raison d'êtrehobby
Recreational leisure activity
pastime · triviality · diversion · distraction · trifle
reason, reasoning, reasons, reasonable, existential, reasonably, unreasonable, reasoned, reasonableness