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3. an end in itself

an end in itself

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an end in itself

Something that is its own entity with no greater purpose. My parents think that studying literature is an end in itself and will never lead to a career.

See also: end, itself

*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

an end in itself

(slightly formal)

satisfying no other purpose than the enjoyment of doing it Memorizing facts can become an end in itself and not a way of understanding something.

See also: end, itself

an end in itself

if an activity or action is an end in itself, it is important to you not because it will help you to achieve something else, but because you enjoy doing it or think that it is important Education should be an end in itself.

See also: end, itself