purify

verb pu·ri·fy \ ˈpyu̇r-ə-ˌfī \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: purify in a Sentence

Definition of purify

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

play \ˈpyu̇r-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun

See purify defined for English-language learners

See purify defined for kids

Examples of purify in a Sentence

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 of purify from the Web

And still others assembled hygiene kits at Clean the World, the Orlando nonprofit that purifies and recycles soap for distribution around the globe.

— kate santich, OrlandoSentinel.com, "For many, Pulse 2-year mark means acts of love and kindness," 12 June 2018
Fasting is seen as a way to physically and spiritually purify.

— aya batrawy, Fox News, "A look at the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan," 17 May 2018
You’ve probably read by now that houseplants are an easy way to liven up a space while purifying the air too.

— jenny xie, Curbed, "Where to buy plants online," 8 May 2018
Make a night of it and use the Masque Bar and Luminizing Charcoal Mask to purify, followed by the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Mask or Yes To Carrots and Kale Single Use Paper Mask for a boost of hydration to leave skin looking glowy.

— lisa desantis, Health.com, "You're Going to Want to Order These $7 Beauty Boxes from Target ASAP," 2 Apr. 2018
People all over the Internet are now placing plants in their showers or bathrooms to purify the air, liven up a space, and even improve the health of their potted friends.

— maria cassano, Allure, "7 Air-Purifying Shower Plants That Keep Your Bathroom Fresh," 16 May 2018
The clay works to smooth skin’s texture, hydrate, shrink the look of pores, and allegedly purify skin of gross buildup that typical cleansers can’t.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "This K-Beauty Egg Cleanser and Clay Mask Will Give You Clear Skin," 23 Apr. 2018
If improperly purified, the treatment could have caused septic shock and killed him.

— alexandra sifferlin, Time, "Terminally Ill People Want More Access to Experimental Treatments. Here's Why Doctors Are Pushing Back," 5 Feb. 2018
Fun fact: The spineless yucca is one of the best air-purifying indoor plants out there.

— lennie larkin, Sunset, "10 Small Trees That Work Perfectly as Houseplants," 22 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'purify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of purify

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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purify Synonyms

PURIFY Defined for English Language Learners

purify

verb

Definition of purify for English Language Learners

: to remove dirty or harmful substances from (something)
: to free (someone) from guilt or evil thoughts

PURIFY Defined for Kids

purify

verb pu·ri·fy \ ˈpyu̇r-ə-ˌfī \

Definition of purify for Students

purified; purifying

: to make pure : free from impurities

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purify

Definition of purify

purifier

Examples of purify in a Sentence

Recent Examples of purify from the Web

Origin and Etymology of purify

purify Synonyms

Synonyms

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PURIFY Defined for English Language Learners

purify

Definition of purify for English Language Learners

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purify

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