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

Look away, Nordic sauna purists. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026

Plus, the Wolverines genuinely like each other and play an unselfish brand of basketball that purists can appreciate. —Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Most everyone in attendance at 2220 seemed to be there to meet or support one of their favorite artists, one of the devout purists of our time who manages to remain that without getting smug, lazy or feral, all common pitfalls. —Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for purist

• jurist
• purest
• surest
• tourist