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

• 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

According to research done at Johns Hopkins Kreiger School of Arts and Sciences, people may love the seasonal flavor for a purely psychological reason. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 Oct. 2025

Plans, in the realm of submarine cables, are purely contingent exercises. —Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025

That's to say, her definition of beauty defied purely looks. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

The heat side of the bubble triangle is speculation—the act of buying an asset purely in the expectation that its price will increase, without regard for its true worth. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

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