purport

1 of 2

verb

pur·​port (ˌ)pər-ˈpȯrt 

purported; purporting; purports

transitive verb

1

: to have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming (something implied or inferred)

a book that purports to be an objective analysis

also : claim

… foreign novels which he purports to have translated …

—Mary McCarthy

2

: intend, purpose

purport

2 of 2

noun

pur·​port ˈpər-ˌpȯrt 

: meaning conveyed, professed, or implied : import

also : substance, gist

Did you know?

The Latin verb portare, meaning “to carry,” was the port of entry for many an English word, from the noun portfolio to familiar verbs report, support, and transport. (The port a ship uses comes from a different Latin source: portus, meaning “port.”) Purport too ultimately comes from portare, although its direct ancestor is the Anglo-French verb purporter, meaning “to carry” or “to mean.” Today, purport is typically used when someone or something makes a claim that may or may not be true; something purported to be a fact is not at all a sure thing. The skepticism that modern purporting generally requires wasn’t present in the original verb, however. In the late 17th century, a purported claim was assumed as true as any. And three centuries before that, to purport a message, idea, etc., was simply to convey it. Purport can also function as a noun with a meaning closely related to the older verb one: it can refer to the main or general meaning conveyed in a piece of writing, in someone’s actions, etc., as in “the purport of the visit” or “the essay’s purport.”

Synonyms of purport

Verb

• intend
• plan
• mean

Noun

• meaning
• sense
• intent
• intention
• content
• significance
• import
• definition

Examples of purport in a Sentence

Verb

do you purport to spend the rest of your life on that couch, or do you think you might get a job someday?

he purports to be an expert in criminalistics

Noun

the purport of the book

The letter was not read aloud, but all present were informed of its purport.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While purporting to lower insurance premiums, there is no credible evidence or even an estimate of how or when these proposals will impact drivers’ rates. —Allysson Bornt, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026

The Investigation Discovery series purports to expose the underbelly of pop culture's most infamous moments through in-depth interviews and industry analysis. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Mark Nacht, 65, of Waltham, allegedly communicated with two undercover agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, one pretending to be the girl, and the other purporting to be a relative of the 13-year-old. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026

One of the most notable and perhaps consequential instances was when John Podesta, chair of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, fell victim to an email purporting to be a Google security alert, giving hackers access to his personal Gmail account. —Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, content, tenor, from purporter to carry, mean, purport, from pur- thoroughly + porter to carry — more at purchase entry 1, port

First Known Use

Verb

1679, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for purport

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• distort
• escort
• exhort
• extort

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Kids Definition

purport

1 of 2 noun

pur·​port ˈpər-ˌpō(ə)rt 

-ˌpȯ(ə)rt

1

: meaning stated, suggested, or hinted

2

: the main point of a talk or subject

purport

2 of 2 verb

pur·​port (ˌ)pər-ˈpō(ə)rt 

-ˈpȯ(ə)rt

: to give the impression of being

purports to be a physician