pure

pure

adjective \ˈpyu̇r\

pur·erpur·est

Definition of PURE

1

a (1) : unmixed with any other matter <pure gold> (2) : free from dust, dirt, or taint <pure springwater> (3) : spotless, stainless

b : free from harshness or roughness and being in tune —used of a musical tone

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

2

a : being thus and no other : sheer, unmitigated <pure folly>

b (1) : abstract, theoretical <pure research> (2) : a priori <pure mechanics>

c : not directed toward exposition of reality or solution of practical problems <pure literature>

d : being nonobjective and to be appraised on formal and technical qualities only <pure form>

3

a (1) : free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes (2) : containing nothing that does not properly belong

b : free from moral fault or guilt

c : marked by chastity : continent

d (1) : of pure blood and unmixed ancestry (2) : homozygous in and breeding true for one or more characters

e : ritually clean

4

: having exactly the talents or skills needed for a particular role <a pure shooter in basketball>

— pure·ness noun

Examples of PURE

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

Origin of PURE

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

Related to PURE

Synonyms

absolute, fine, neat, plain, purified, refined, straight, unadulterated, unalloyed, undiluted, unmixed

Antonyms

adulterated, alloyed, diluted, impure, mixed

Related Words

clarified, filtered; clean, fresh, taintless, uncontaminated, uncorrupted, undefiled, unpolluted, untainted; rendered, tried; concentrated, full-bodied, strong; uncombined

Near Antonyms

befouled, besmirched, contaminated, corrupted, debased, defiled, fouled, polluted, soiled, spoiled, sullied, tainted; unclarified; amalgamated, blended, coalesced, combined, commingled, compounded, incorporated, intermingled, intermixed, merged, mingled; conjoined, fused, joined, linked, united; cheapened, doctored, watered-down

See Synonym Discussion at chaste

Rhymes with PURE

Boer, boor, cure, dour, fewer, lure, moor, Moor, Muir, poor, Ruhr, sewer, skewer, spoor, stour, sure, tour, Tours, your

pure

adjective \ˈpyu̇(ə)r\   (Medical Dictionary)

pur·er; pur·est

Medical Definition of PURE

1

: unmixed with any other matter <pure gold>

2

: free from dust, dirt, or taint <pure food>

3

a : of unmixed ancestry : purebred b : homozygous in and breeding true for one or more characters

—pure·ness noun