purely

adverb

pure·​ly ˈpyu̇r-lē 

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

Synonyms

• chastely
• innocently
• modestly
• morally
• righteously
• virtuously

Examples of purely in a Sentence

They met purely by accident.

a selection based purely on merit

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

It was purely and simply a matter of greed.

Recent Examples on the Web

The next car doesn't necessarily have to be purely electric -- whatever is most exciting and most technically interesting. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2024

Was the timing of release for part one around the Olympics, purely coincidence? —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2024

Considering the long-term health risks to astronauts, especially those who are younger, from the perspective of their families carries a different emotional weight than thinking purely about oneself. —Georgina Torbet, The Verge, 16 Aug. 2024

Varda’s onscreen presence dominates the film, infusing it with first-person, real-time immediacy, distinguishing it from purely observational documentary, and turning it into an exemplary work of cinematic modernism. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

purely

adverb

pure·​ly ˈpyu̇(ə)r-lē 

1

: to the full or entire extent

2

: without the addition of anything harmful or different

3

: for no other reason than : only

done purely for fun

4

: in an innocent manner