purify

1 of 2

verb

pu·​ri·​fy ˈpyu̇r-ə-ˌfī 

purified; purifying

transitive verb

: to make pure: such as

a

: to clear from material defilement or imperfection

b

: to free from guilt or moral or ceremonial blemish

c

: to free from undesirable elements

intransitive verb

: to grow or become pure or clean

purifier

ˈpyu̇r-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

purifier

2 of 2

noun

pu·​ri·​fi·​er ˈpyu̇rəˌfī(ə)r 

-īə

plural -s

: one that purifies or cleanses (as an apparatus for purifying coal gas or a machine for separating fine bran particles from flour middlings) : cleanser, refiner

Synonyms of purify

Verb

• purge

Examples of purify in a Sentence

Verb

We purified the water by boiling it.

You can purify the air with a filtration system.

a bottle of purified water

She believed she could purify herself through constant prayer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The bubbles deliver oxygen and other gases that naturally purify water and eliminate bad bacteria. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

At London’s Clarify Clinics, founder Yael Cohen has developed the controversial Clari Procedure, a patented two-hour IV treatment that claims to purify the blood plasma. — Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Going back to the Sedlec Ossuary was not some purifying rite. — Kristin Idaszak, Longreads, 22 Oct. 2026

BioFiltro, a company founded in Chile, puts red wigglers in a bed of chips to purify wastewater from dairy stalls. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English purifien, from Anglo-French purifier, from Latin purificare, from Latin purus + -ificare -ify

Noun

Middle English, from purifien to purify + -er

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for purify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

purify

verb

pu·​ri·​fy ˈpyu̇r-ə-ˌfī 

purified; purifying

: to make or become pure

purification

ˌpyu̇r-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun

purifier

ˈpyu̇r-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun