purely

pure·ly

adverb \ˈpyu̇r-lē\

: completely or only

Full Definition of PURELY

1

a :  to a full extent :  totally <purely by accident>

b :  wholly, exclusively <a selection based purely on merit>

2

:  without admixture of anything injurious or foreign

3

:  simply, merely <read purely for relaxation>

4

:  in a chaste or innocent manner

Examples of PURELY

1. They met purely by accident.
2. a selection based purely on merit
3. The organization's mission, purely and simply, is to provide food to people who need it.
4. It was purely and simply a matter of greed.

First Known Use of PURELY

14th century

Related to PURELY

Synonyms

chastely, innocently, modestly, morally, righteously, virtuously

Antonyms

evilly, immorally, impurely, sinfully, wickedly

Related Words

decently, decorously, properly; priggishly, primly, prudishly

Near Antonyms

indecently, obscenely, vulgarly; lasciviously, lewdly, lustfully

Rhymes with PURELY

poorly, surely