verb
Uncommon
purge
purj
Purge (verb) means to rid something of unwanted elements; to cleanse or clear out completely. Example: “The new manager purged the outdated files from the system.”
verb
1
To rid something of unwanted elements; to cleanse or clear out completely.
"The new manager purged the outdated files from the system."
"He tried to purge every trace of doubt from his mind."
2
To forcibly remove people, especially from a political organization.
"The dictator purged rivals from the party leadership."
noun
1
An act of forcibly removing people or unwanted elements.
"The purge left the committee with only loyal members."
How to use purge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo clear something out completely, or to forcibly remove people considered undesirable.
Common pairings
purge the records
political purge
purge a system
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Word forms
- Plural
- purges
- Third person singular
- purges
- Past tense
- purged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new manager _____ the outdated files from the system.
Etymology
From Old French purgier, from Latin pūrgō ("to make pure"), from pūrus ("pure") plus agō ("to do, make").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for purge
See all rhymes for purge →Frequently asked questions
What does “purge” mean?
The word “purge” means to rid something of unwanted elements; to cleanse or clear out completely. In plain terms, to clear something out completely, or to forcibly remove people considered undesirable.
How do you pronounce “purge”?
“Purge” is pronounced purj (/pɜɹd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “purge” in a sentence?
Here is “purge” used in a sentence: “The new manager purged the outdated files from the system.”
What part of speech is “purge”?
Depending on how it is used, “purge” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “purge” come from?
The word “purge” comes from Latin. From Old French purgier, from Latin pūrgō ("to make pure"), from pūrus ("pure") plus agō ("to do, make").
Is “purge” a common word?
“Purge” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “purge” have?
“Purge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to rid something of unwanted elements; to cleanse or clear out completely.
What is the difference between purge and cleanse?
Purge suggests a forceful, complete removal of something unwanted, while cleanse can describe a gentler or more routine act of cleaning. Purge often carries a stronger sense of urgency or severity than cleanse.
How is purge used differently in politics compared to general contexts?
In a political sense, purge specifically means forcibly removing people from an organization, often for disloyalty or to consolidate power. In general use, purge simply means ridding something of unwanted elements, such as purging a file system or clearing out old records.
Is purge used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, purge functions as a verb meaning to remove unwanted elements or people, and as a noun describing that act of removal itself, as in 'a purge of the committee's members'.
