adv
Common
purely
PYOOR-lee
Purely (adv) means Entirely or solely; nothing more than. Example: “The garden is there purely for decoration, not for growing food.”
adv
1
Entirely or solely; nothing more than.
"The garden is there purely for decoration, not for growing food."
"He said it purely out of curiosity."
"The decision was made purely on financial grounds."
How to use purely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCompletely, or exclusively — used to emphasize that one factor is the only one at play.
Common pairings
purely coincidental
purely for fun
purely academic
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more purely
- Superlative
- most purely
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The garden is there _____ for decoration, not for growing food.
Etymology
From pure plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
