purist

noun

pur·​ist ˈpyu̇r-ist 

: a person who adheres strictly and often excessively to a tradition

especially : one preoccupied with the purity of a language and its protection from the use of foreign or altered forms

puristic

pyu̇-ˈri-stik 

adjective

puristically

pyu̇-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of purist in a Sentence

a purist who only drinks European wines

Recent Examples on the Web

And because liberals, car purists, and environmentalists couldn’t stand the Cybertruck — mocking everything from its sharp edges to its build quality — buying one became a way to get under their skin. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Nov. 2026

Introduced in 2024, the U9 Xtreme is the kind of EV that can make even an internal-combustion purist change their mind. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2026

Bridges is fine dining in the purist sense, as in delicious food creatively constructed to evoke an experience. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

What began as a few purists chasing a vibe became an ingredient an entire industry pays extra for. — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for purist

• jurist
• purest
• surest
• tourist