purity

noun

pu·​ri·​ty ˈpyu̇r-ə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being pure

2

: saturation sense 4a

Synonyms of purity

• innocence
• goodness
• virtue

Examples of purity in a Sentence

struggling to live a life of purity while surrounded by wickedness

Recent Examples on the Web

The resulting right-metal-right catalyst was then able to react, allowing for the formation of a product having very high optical purity. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026

Through the ball’s circular shape and its lack of color, the painting knowingly winks at Piet Mondrian’s Composition 10 in Black and White (1915), then defiles the Dutch modernist’s aesthetic purity. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

At the heart of Fee’s heroic narratives is the idea of a self that attains purity. — Garth Greenwell, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026

Even a few tweaks on the experiment to substitute the heavy water for a layer of graphite would have failed, given the purity of the materials available. — Mike McRae 06, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English purete, from Anglo-French purité, from Late Latin puritat-, puritas, from Latin purus pure

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for purity

• surety
• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• security

Kids Definition

purity

noun

pu·​ri·​ty ˈpyu̇r-ət-ē 

1

: the quality or state of being pure : freedom from impurities

2

: freedom from guilt or sin

Medical Definition

purity

noun

pu·​ri·​ty ˈpyu̇r-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being pure