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

Sales of pure-electric and hybrid vehicles rose 85.4% to 126,000 but accounted for only about 6% of total passenger vehicle sales. — Joe Mcdonald, The Seattle Times, "China’s auto sales sink in March for 9th month," 12 Apr. 2019 Harley-Davidson has long been the standard bearer of loud, booming engines, but at Las Vegas' Consumer Electronics Showcase on Monday, the motorcycle company showed off its first-ever pure electric bike. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Harley-Davidson's LiveWire Electric Bike Is Here—And Very Expensive," 7 Jan. 2019 Not every food is suited to this technique, but for ingredients that are, there’s no better, more sophisticated or more pure way of cooking. — Eleanore Park, WSJ, "The Art of Eating Simply," 21 Feb. 2019 However, no sugar is added to pure maple syrup or honey. — Lisa Rathke, The Seattle Times, "Farm bill exempts pure maple, honey from added sugars label," 11 Dec. 2018 Messaging apps are probably the cleanest or purest example. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Why ‘Star Wars’ is like a social network, and other insights from Eugene Wei on Recode Media," 13 July 2018 Yet, despite excessive heat, wind and string solos in the orchestra were played finely, and even Moser’s third-movement high trill that began at the threshhold of audibility remained soft and pure. — Alan Artner, chicagotribune.com, "In the heat, Moser, Grant Park Orchestra perform a delicate Dvorak," 30 June 2018 Summer hydration is both critical and pure pleasure. — Anna Thomas Bates, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Instead of lemonade, try a hibiscus-lime Arnold Palmer," 20 June 2018 The initial sense as the movie begins 70 days before his death, watching the restless, smiling Gabriel immerse himself in Kenyan village life, going on hunts and drinking with locals, is that his energy is infectious, and his motives pure. — Robert Abele, latimes.com, "Brazilian filmmaker beautifully captures a friend's journey in 'Gabriel and the Mountain'," 14 June 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.