pure

\ ˈpyu̇r

How to pronounce pure (audio)

\

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 Auburn 75, Kentucky 66 on Friday in the Palace on the Plains was a showcase of sound and a Picasso of pure fun. — Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, "Auburn Arena turns blue bloods into bedwetters," 2 Feb. 2020 The speech will be pure Trump: a little substance mixed into a lot of entertainment. — Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, "Weekly Trump Report Card: Democrats crushed on impeachment, solid 'A'," 1 Feb. 2020 Step 4: Soak the Acrylic Off Drench a cotton ball into 100 percent pure acetone, place the cotton on to the surface of nail, and wrap each nail in foil. — Chelsea Hall, Marie Claire, "How to Remove Your Acrylic Nails Without Damaging Them," 31 Jan. 2020 The reality is that through pure happenstance and the goodwill of Bill Belichick (an odd phrase, to be sure) the 49ers have an excellent match between coach and quarterback. — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "Without Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers aren’t playing in the Super Bowl," 31 Jan. 2020 Within a few years, most new vehicles will likely be hybrids as the floodgates swing open for pure EVs. — Andrew Moseman, Fortune, "The next frontier of road rage is the parking garage," 31 Jan. 2020 Running, especially marathon running, is supposed to be the purest thing humans put themselves through. — Rob Hodgetts, CNN, "Eliud Kipchoge's record-breaking Nike shoes to be banned," 31 Jan. 2020 Inside, the dome is pure zen—and surprisingly spacious. — Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, "You Can Stay in This Highly-Rated Geodesic Dome In Chile for Only $57 a Night," 30 Jan. 2020 In the late 1980s, the pure air-to-air fighter was modified to strike targets on the ground, earning it the multi-role description. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "After Nearly 20 Years, the Air Force Will Fly Brand New F-15s," 29 Jan. 2020

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.

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Dictionary Entries near pure

pure and simple

Statistics for pure

Last Updated

5 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pure. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for pure

pure

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of pure

: 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

See the full definition for pure in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pure

\ ˈpyu̇r

\

purer; purest

Kids Definition of pure

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

pure

\ ˈpyu̇(ə)r

\

purer; purest

Medical Definition of pure

1 : unmixed with any other matter pure gold

2 : free from dust, dirt, or taint pure food

3a : of unmixed ancestry : purebred

b : homozygous in and breeding true for one or more characters

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pure

Legal Definition of pure

1a : unmixed with any other matter

b : free from dirt or taint

2 : being thus and nothing other a pure no-fault compensation system

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