pure

adjective

\ ˈpyu̇r

purer; purest

Definition of pure

1a(1) : unmixed with any other matter pure gold

(2) : free from dust, dirt, or taint pure spring water

(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

2a : 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

3a(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

Other Words from pure Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about pure

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Choose the Right Synonym for pure

chaste, pure, modest, decent mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious. chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows. they maintained chaste relations pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions. the pure of heart modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity. preferred more modest swimsuits decent people didn't go to such movies

Examples of pure in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The pocketed and micro coils throughout provide extra support and breathability, while 100 percent organic cotton makes the quilted mattress top plush, and pure wool naturally keeps sleepers warm in the winter and cool in the summer. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Parachute Just Released A Brand New Eco-Friendly Mattress," 18 Jan. 2019 Americans’ consumption of ethanol, or pure alcohol, has declined sharply over the past couple of decades. — Jennifer Maloney, WSJ, "As Americans Drink Less Alcohol, Booze Makers Look Beyond the Barrel," 17 Jan. 2019 Either way, pure tap water falls in the middle at 7. — Jessica Wakeman, SELF, "If You Suspect Your Discharge Is Bleaching Your Underwear, You’re Probably Right," 17 Jan. 2019 In a year that brought bad news and more bad news, Bodys Isek Kingelez’s brik-brak fantasy models at MoMA were shots of pure joy. — Mark Lamster, Curbed, "2018 in architecture: The good, the bad, and the urbanism," 27 Dec. 2018 Right now, Democrats are in the minority, and so their policy proposals can exist in a pure state. — Ezra Klein, Vox, "The 3 decisions that will shape Medicare-for-all," 17 Dec. 2018 Metals and mortals could both be made more pure by freeing that little bit of divine spirit hidden in nature. — Meg Neal, Popular Mechanics, "The Eternal Quest for Aether, the Cosmic Stuff That Never Was," 19 Oct. 2018 The game changer: Blanco tequila, which is left in its purest form, doesn't contain any of the corn syrup or added sugar that's often linked to post-party regret. — Kara Thompson, Town & Country, "15 Things Every Tequila Aficionado Needs to Know," 23 July 2018 Dressed in a variety of pastel shades, the band took the no-frills route for their performance, opting for no elaborate costumes or staging, just pure soaring guitar leads and vocalist Sameer Gadhi's sweltering falsetto. — Sam Tornow, Billboard, "Young the Giant Perform Expansive New Song, 'Simplify' Live on 'The Late Show': Watch," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.