purely

adverb

pure·​ly ˈpyu̇r-lē How to pronounce purely (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unlike other pieces chosen purely for aesthetic appeal, charm bracelets tell a story. Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 1 June 2025 Instead of managing personalities and transfer sagas, Enrique was allowed to focus purely on the pitch. Ben Church, CNN Money, 1 June 2025 In a market where crypto narratives evolve quickly, a yield-bearing stablecoin ETF could be the next wave, offering crypto-originated income that is not purely speculative in its own. Cloris Chen, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 From your perspective, how does this new defensive line stack up against last year’s from a purely physical perspective. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for purely

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of purely was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purely. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

purely

adverb
pure·​ly ˈpyu̇(ə)r-lē How to pronounce purely (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on purely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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