pure

adjective

ˈpyu̇r

purer; purest

a(1)

: unmixed with any other matter

pure gold

(2)

: free from dust, dirt, or taint

pure spring water

(3)

: spotless, stainless

: free from harshness or roughness and being in tune

—used of a musical tone

of a vowel : characterized by no appreciable alteration of articulation during utterance

: being thus and no other : sheer, unmitigated

pure folly

b(1)

: abstract, theoretical

pure research

(2)

: a priori

pure mechanics

: not directed toward exposition of reality or solution of practical problems

pure literature

: being nonobjective and to be appraised on formal and technical qualities only

pure form

a(1)

: free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes

(2)

: containing nothing that does not properly belong

: free from moral fault or guilt

: marked by chastity : continent

d(1)

: of pure blood and unmixed ancestry

(2)

: homozygous in and breeding true for one or more characters

: ritually clean

: having exactly the talents or skills needed for a particular role

a pure shooter in basketball

pureness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for pure

chaste, pure, modest, decent mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious.

chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits

decent people didn't go to such movies

Example Sentences

The company bottles only the purest water. the pure notes of the flute

Recent Examples on the Web Here, the carpet is fluffed, the grout is pure white and the home awaits memories to be made.

Brianna Griff, Chron, 4 Dec. 2022 The five-year-old Greek brand has mastered its own unique form of gold—an ultra-pure mix of 22k gold, copper, and silver—that gives its hand-wrought jewelry a distinctive signature.

Leena Kim, Town & Country, 4 Dec. 2022 Passion, however pure, could risk throwing off the level-headedness needed in such turbulent times.

Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 3 Dec. 2022 Popcorn Lovers Flavor of the Month Club is pure perfection for corn kernel fanatics.

Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 3 Dec. 2022 There is something very pure about it, an unknown — through some combination of osmosis and charisma — capturing an audience's attention and hurdling themselves against the larger tapestry of comedy and American pop culture.

Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 3 Dec. 2022 As a graduate student in materials science in the early 1980s, John Palmour took a chance on an unproven way to make semiconductors, substituting silicon carbide for the usual pure silicon.

James R. Hagerty, WSJ, 2 Dec. 2022 It’s a thriller with sequences that leave the audience gasping for air, but describing it as just a psychological horror leaves out the moments of pure sadness, sensuality, and joy.

Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Dec. 2022 Its two minutes are pure, unadulterated entertainment.

The Enquirer, 2 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pur, from Anglo-French, from Latin purus; akin to Old High German fowen to sift, Sanskrit punāti he cleanses, Middle Irish úr fresh, new

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler

The first known use of pure was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century