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pure

adjective
\ ˈpyu̇r How to pronounce pure (audio) \
purer; purest

Definition of pure

1a(1) : unmixed with any other matter pure gold
(2) : free from dust, dirt, or taint pure spring water
(3) : spotless, stainless
b : free from harshness or roughness and being in tune —used of a musical tone
c of a vowel : characterized by no appreciable alteration of articulation during utterance
2a : being thus and no other : sheer, unmitigated pure folly
b(1) : abstract, theoretical pure research
(2) : a priori pure mechanics
c : not directed toward exposition of reality or solution of practical problems pure literature
d : being nonobjective and to be appraised on formal and technical qualities only pure form
3a(1) : free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes
(2) : containing nothing that does not properly belong
b : free from moral fault or guilt
c : marked by chastity : continent
d(1) : of pure blood and unmixed ancestry
(2) : homozygous in and breeding true for one or more characters
e : ritually clean
4 : having exactly the talents or skills needed for a particular role a pure shooter in basketball
Other Words from pure Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about pure

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Other Words from pure

pureness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for pure

chaste, pure, modest, decent mean free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious. chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows. they maintained chaste relations pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions. the pure of heart modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity. preferred more modest swimsuits decent people didn't go to such movies

Examples of pure in a Sentence

The company bottles only the purest water. the pure notes of the flute

Recent Examples on the Web

 Krauss and her band Union Station took the stage after opening act Dan Smalley and, at 48, her famous soprano is every bit as pure and angelic as ever. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, "Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss light up the Target Center with memorable night of classics," 2 Aug. 2019 Hilter and the Manson family have been among the most prominent boogeymen of the last century, existing as embodiments of pure evil in the popular psyche for generations. — Scott Huver, CNN, "Quentin Tarantino has been telling us fairy tales from the very beginning," 29 July 2019 But the stench from the incident was such that the NFL, hardly known as the playground of the pure and virtuous, all but blackballed an All-Pro-caliber player in the aftermath. — Dave Doyle, MMA Junkie, "Greg Hardy can keep winning, but we can't move on from his past just yet | Opinion," 21 July 2019 To Campion, who was raised in the United Kingdom, Florida was pure, undiluted Americana. — Author: Logan Hill, Anchorage Daily News, "Is it OK to laugh at Florida Man?," 16 July 2019 These were designed to give a nostalgic vibe while also remaining somewhat pure & clean. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Jeremy Roloff Spills HUGE News Days After Audrey’s Pregnancy Announcement," 12 July 2019 For their part, the bad guys run a gamut from hapless to pure evil. — The Economist, "Jackson Brodie returns in “Big Sky”," 4 July 2019 Billy Drago’s Frank Nitti, in his spotless white linen suit, created an instant impression of pure sociopathic evil. — Ashley Boucher, PEOPLE.com, "Billy Drago, Best Known for His Villainous Role in The Untouchables, Dead at 73," 26 June 2019 The Nets trade may have been half-luck, sure, but the Tatum trade two years ago was pure evil. — Andrew Sharp, SI.com, "Anthony Davis Trade Winners and Losers: The Lakers Jackpot, Pelicans Haul and Celtics Disaster," 16 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pure

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

History and Etymology for pure

Middle English pur, from Anglo-French, from Latin purus; akin to Old High German fowen to sift, Sanskrit punāti he cleanses, Middle Irish úr fresh, new

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More Definitions for pure

pure

adjective
How to pronounce pure (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of pure

: not mixed with anything else
: clean and not harmful in any way
: having a smooth and clear sound that is not mixed with any other sounds

See the full definition for pure in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pure

adjective
\ ˈpyu̇r How to pronounce pure (audio) \

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