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
4
: in a chaste or innocent manner
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
But staying in a job purely out of guilt or comfort can prevent you from pursuing opportunities that better align with your values and goals.
—
Sherry Taylor, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
That’s not measured purely in viewership numbers, because those can be misleading.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Microsoft’s researchers did note that their measurements were purely focused on large language models (LLMs), and other applications of AI could affect occupations involving operating and monitoring machinery, such as truck driving.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 31 July 2025
The designation was purely symbolic, meant to show the city was welcoming to immigrants.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purely
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Sherry Taylor, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
That’s not measured purely in viewership numbers, because those can be misleading.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Microsoft’s researchers did note that their measurements were purely focused on large language models (LLMs), and other applications of AI could affect occupations involving operating and monitoring machinery, such as truck driving.
—Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 31 July 2025
The designation was purely symbolic, meant to show the city was welcoming to immigrants.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purely
Cite this Entry
“Purely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purely. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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