purely

adverb

pure·​ly ˈpyu̇r-lē 

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

Synonyms of purely

• innocently
• properly
• chastely
• morally

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

Patients who once flew to Turkey purely for the price break now arrive with detailed clinic short lists, surgeon credentials in hand and questions about aftercare protocols. — Ascend Agency, Denver Post, 18 June 2026

Nobody travels to matches, paints their face, or organizes a game-day event purely for the final score of a single game. — Angela Haupt, Time, 18 June 2026

Human spaceflight often expands beyond purely technical or scientific endeavors into ones of national pride and importance. — Margaret Landis, The Conversation, 18 June 2026

The regime understands that a purely symbolic victory would not suffice to win over regime opponents who have temporarily set aside their grievances for the sake of wartime unity, or those hardliners who have reluctantly halted calls for war on the promise of major concessions from Washington. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for purely

• demurely
• maturely
• obscurely
• securely
• insecurely
• prematurely
• surely

Kids Definition

purely

adverb

pure·​ly ˈpyu̇(ə)r-lē 

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