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

Sez Me … The NBA has been weaponized, now meant to inflict harm on the eyes of purists. —Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

Midcentury purists will rejoice in this true vintage FBJ Mobler piece, made from teak in a classic Danish silhouette. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026

For the literary purists out there, this might be the most faithful adaptation of them all. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026

While some literary purists have panned Fennell and Robbie (who produced the film) for smut-ifying an icon of the American bookshelf, their critiques haven't seemed to sway audiences. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for purist

• jurist
• purest
• surest
• tourist