pure

adjective \ ˈpyu̇r \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

purer; purest

1 a (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

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

—

pureness

noun

See pure defined for English-language learners

See pure defined for kids

Examples of pure in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of pure from the Web

Parents blame it for unfinished homework and for corrupting their children’s oh-so-pure minds.

— The Economist, "The latest video-game fad shows off a DIY ethic," 10 May 2018
Back to Our Roots Beyond pure biology, social structures have also played large roles in our modern understanding of maternity.

— National Geographic, "Is Maternal Instinct Only for Moms? Here's the Science.," 9 May 2018
The 10-foot ceilings, monorail track lighting, and pure white walls lets each of the 35 pieces speak for itself.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Gallery "Connects" Students To World Of Art," 8 May 2018
The Dipsea splits the difference with a classic keyhole nose shape and a tortoiseshell frame, while the amber lenses are pure performance: certified UVA/B polarized protection.

— the editors, Outside Online, "8 Last-Minute Mother's Day Gifts from Huckberry," 8 May 2018
Check it out for the pure Sagittarian joy of watching someone set herself free — and for the wild thrill of an archer on campus.

— EW.com, "Your May pop culture horoscope revealed: Sweetbitter, Melissa McCarthy, and a royal wedding," 2 May 2018
Watch the hilarity that ensues when the Farrellys serve up the extremely predictable jokes about Rosemary, pure of heart but sullied of form, sitting on chairs and benches and immediately breaking them.

— megan garber, The Atlantic, "When Beauty Is a Troll," 22 Apr. 2018
But one of the most maddening elements of this case — and why writing off the defense writ large is so hard — is that Ortega never acted like pure evil before the crime.

— maureen o'connor, The Cut, "The Jury and the Family Speak Out As the Nanny Trial Ends," 19 Apr. 2018
In the end, though, the best motivator of all was Gebhardt’s genuine pursuit of pure, authentic happiness.

— annie daly, SELF, "Here's What the Winner of a Grueling Survival Run Ate to Make It Through in 26 Hours," 10 Apr. 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.

Origin and Etymology 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

pure Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

PURE Defined for English Language Learners

pure

adjective

: not mixed with anything else
: clean and not harmful in any way
: having a smooth and clear sound that is not mixed with any other sounds

PURE Defined for Kids

pure

adjective \ ˈpyu̇r \

purer; purest

1 : not mixed with anything else : free from everything that might injure or lower the quality

pure water

pure silk

2 : free from sin : innocent, chaste

3 : nothing other than : total

pure nonsense

—

purely

adverb

Medical Dictionary

pure

adjective \ ˈpyu̇(ə)r \

purer; purest

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

—

pureness

noun

Law Dictionary

pure

adjective

1 a : unmixed with any other matter

b : free from dirt or taint

2 : being thus and nothing other

a pure no-fault compensation system

—

purely

adverb

—

pureness

noun

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