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purely

adverb pure·ly \ ˈpyu̇r-lē \
|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of purely

1 a : to a full extent : totally
  • purely by accident
b : wholly, exclusively
  • a selection based purely on merit
2 : without admixture of anything injurious or foreign
3 : simply, merely
  • read purely for relaxation
4 : in a chaste or innocent manner

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Examples of purely in a Sentence

  1. They met purely by accident.

  2. a selection based purely on merit

  3. The organization's mission, purely and simply, is to provide food to people who need it.

  4. It was purely and simply a matter of greed.

Recent Examples of purely from the Web

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

First Known Use of purely

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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purely Synonyms

Synonyms

chastely, innocently, modestly, morally, righteously, virtuously;

Antonyms

evilly, immorally, impurely, sinfully, wickedly;

Near Antonyms

indecently, obscenely, vulgarly;

lasciviously, lewdly, lustfully;

Related Words

decently, decorously, properly;

priggishly, primly, prudishly;

PURELY Defined for English Language Learners

purely

adverb

Definition of purely for English Language Learners

  • : completely or only

Learn More about purely

  1. See words that rhyme with purely Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for purely Spanish Central: Translation of purely Nglish: Translation of purely for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of purely for Arabic speakers

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