purely
Purely (adv) means Entirely or solely; nothing more than. Example: “He said it purely out of curiosity.”
How to use purely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCompletely, or exclusively — used to emphasize that one factor is the only one at play.
Word forms
more purely comparative, more purely comparative, most purely superlative, most purely superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He said it _____ out of curiosity.
Etymology
From pure plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for purely
See all rhymes for purely →Frequently asked questions
What does “purely” mean?
The word “purely” means entirely or solely; nothing more than. In plain terms, completely, or exclusively — used to emphasize that one factor is the only one at play.
How do you pronounce “purely”?
“Purely” is pronounced PYOOR-lee (/ˈpjʊɹli/ in IPA).
How do you use “purely” in a sentence?
Here is “purely” used in a sentence: “He said it purely out of curiosity.”
What is the opposite of “purely”?
The opposite of “purely” — its antonyms — are impurely, pollutedly and uncleanly.
What part of speech is “purely”?
“Purely” is an adverb.
Is “purely” a common word?
“Purely” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between purely and solely?
Both mean nothing more than a single thing, and they are often interchangeable. Solely stresses that there is only one factor involved, while purely can add a shade of "merely" or "simply," as in "purely coincidental."
What is the difference between purely and simply?
Purely emphasises that something is entirely one thing and nothing else, as in "purely for fun." Simply is broader and can also mean "in an uncomplicated way," so the two only overlap when both mean "merely."
When do you use purely to mean 'only' or 'merely'?
You use purely to stress that something involves one reason or nature and nothing beyond it, as in "a purely personal decision" or "purely by chance." It signals that there is no additional factor at play.