purer; purest
1
: not mixed with anything else
pure gold/silver
pure silk/cotton/wool/cashmere
pure orange juice
pure honey
pure maple syrup
pure olive oil
pure white
I was acting on pure intuition/instinct. [=only because of intuition/instinct and not for any other reason]
2
: clean and not harmful in any way
The company bottles only the purest water.
pure mountain air
3
: having a smooth and clear sound that is not mixed with any other sounds
the pure notes of the flute
4
5
: morally good : free from sexual or evil thoughts
a pure and upright man
a pure heart
pure intentions
Don't expect me to believe you're (as) pure as the driven snow. [=morally perfect]
6
always used before a noun
: relating to theory and knowledge rather than to the practical uses of something
the pure sciences
pure mathematics
7
: purebred
a pure Arabian horse
a pure breed of cattle
Cite this Entry
“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/pure. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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