purely

adverb

pure·​ly ˈpyu̇r-lē 

1

a

: to a full extent : totally

purely by accident

b

: wholly, exclusively

a selection based purely on merit

2

: without admixture of anything injurious or foreign

3

: simply, merely

read purely for relaxation

4

: in a chaste or innocent manner

Synonyms

• chastely
• innocently
• modestly
• morally
• righteously
• virtuously

Examples of purely in a Sentence

They met purely by accident.

a selection based purely on merit

The organization's mission, purely and simply, is to provide food to people who need it.

It was purely and simply a matter of greed.

Recent Examples on the Web

As always, attendees interpret each year's theme differently, so expect to see looks that are literal and others that are purely conceptual. —Glamour, 29 Apr. 2024

Despite its modern framing device as a purely fictional fairytale, The Princess Bride is a sincere fantasy adventure, complete with a heroic farmhand (Cary Elwes) out to save a beautiful princess (Robin Wright) from a royal drip (Chris Sarandon). —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

purely

adverb

pure·​ly ˈpyu̇(ə)r-lē 

1

: to the full or entire extent

2

: without the addition of anything harmful or different

3

: for no other reason than : only

done purely for fun

4

: in an innocent manner