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

Yes, purists love pitching duels. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026

There was a viewpoint among purists that combinatorics was sort of a bag of tricks. — Quanta Magazine, 25 June 2026

At the same time, centrists swung against a left that had indulged its purist tendencies. — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026

On paper, free-market purists surely find this preferable. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for purist

• jurist
• purest
• surest
• tourist