purvey

verb

pur·​vey (ˌ)pər-ˈvā 

ˈpər-ˌvā

purveyed; purveying

transitive verb

1

: to supply (something, such as provisions) usually as a matter of business

2

: peddle sense 2

Examples of purvey in a Sentence

a shop purveying handmade merchandise

Recent Examples on the Web

Replika, the company who happened to purvey the primary AI companions in this piece, literally has no skin in the game, but the human partners certainly do. —Krista Stevens, Longreads, 8 July 2025

As seen in the film, Powter herself has had to walk miles in the brutal Vegas heat to reach an outlet purveying healthy food. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 24 June 2025

New York is a realm of fantasy and myth, obsession and resentment, fear and bewilderment for many who’ve never set foot in it; and many who live here also purvey and perpetuate some version of the imaginary city. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 May 2025

Red Hog is a butcher shop that also purveys terrific sandwiches, soups and charcuterie. —John Mariani, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English purveien, from Anglo-French purveier, purveer to look at, foresee, provide, from Latin providēre to provide

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for purvey

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

purvey

verb

pur·​vey (ˌ)pər-ˈvā 

ˈpər-ˌvā

purveyed; purveying

: to supply usually as a business

purveyance

-ən(t)s

noun

purveyor

-ər

noun