purify

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

Synonyms

• cleanse
• purge
• sanctify

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 on the Web

The raunchy yet romantic track invites Jhené Aiko, who purifies the air and floats above with her celestial vocals while Durk taps into his more melodic side. —Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2025

The Kurama Fire Festival, held annually on Oct. 22 in Kyoto, is a Shinto ritual where large torches are carried through the streets to ward off evil and purify the land. —Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025

There are three fan settings to keep you cool, as well: fan mode for direct cooling, breeze mode to mimic a light breeze, and backward airflow mode to purify and humidify without cooling. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 25 Apr. 2025

This Levoit pick effectively purifies indoor air with a three-stage filtration system. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for purify

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

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