purely

adverb

pure·​ly ˈpyu̇r-lē How to pronounce purely (audio)
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 in a Sentence

They met purely by accident. a selection based purely on merit The organization's mission, purely and simply, is to provide food to people who need it. It was purely and simply a matter of greed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Any prices or levels shown are either historical or purely indicative. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 7 July 2025 Often, these employees view their job performance purely through the lens of their technical skills, and historically, so have their employers. Kempton Presley, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 From purely fun picks like a Bluey bubble maker that doubles as a karaoke machine to adorable, educational faves like Melissa & Doug’s Cutting Fruit Set, these deals start at just $9. Clint Davis, People.com, 7 July 2025 Politics aside, purely from a scientific point of view, this is madness. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for purely

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of purely was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purely. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

purely

adverb
pure·​ly ˈpyu̇(ə)r-lē How to pronounce purely (audio)
1
: to the full or entire extent
2
: without the addition of anything harmful or different
3
: for no other reason than : only
done purely for fun
4
: in an innocent manner

More from Merriam-Webster on purely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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