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

Set aside just 10 minutes a couple times a week to check in purely about feelings. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

However, the idea that denim’s resurgence is purely cyclical may be overstated, according to a recent UBS note on U.S. softlines retail. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 23 June 2025

Any prices or levels shown are either historical or purely indicative. —Katie Stockton, CNBC, 23 June 2025

Indeed, Agnes’s brilliance is already the stuff of campus legend, but his assessment is motivated by more than purely academic considerations. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 June 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