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

• innocently
• properly
• chastely
• morally

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

On the long list of commonplace myths surrounding enterprise networking, the general public sometimes perceives that the work only fits extroverts developing purely transactional bonds. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

While China has shifted half of its cars to EV powertrains, Walliser says only 25 percent are purely electric. —Tamara Warren, ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025

The relationship loses its collaborative element and becomes purely functional. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

This means the results from liposuction are purely cosmetic. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for purely

• demurely
• maturely
• obscurely
• securely
• insecurely
• prematurely
• surely

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