purify
PYOOR-rih-feye
Purify (verb) means to remove impurities from something, making it clean or pure. Example: “The filter purifies the water before it reaches the tap.”
verb
1
To remove impurities from something, making it clean or pure.
"The filter purifies the water before it reaches the tap."
"She wanted to purify her diet by cutting out processed food."
How to use purify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo clean something thoroughly, removing anything unwanted.
Common pairings
purify water
purify the air
purify one's thoughts
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- purifies
- Past tense
- purified
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wanted to _____ her diet by cutting out processed food.
Etymology
From Old French purifier, from Latin pūrificāre, from pūrus ("pure") plus facere ("to make").
Related words
Rhymes for purify
See all rhymes for purify →Frequently asked questions
What does “purify” mean?
The word “purify” means to remove impurities from something, making it clean or pure. In plain terms, to clean something thoroughly, removing anything unwanted.
How do you pronounce “purify”?
“Purify” is pronounced PYOOR-rih-feye (/ˈpjʊɹɪfaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “purify” in a sentence?
Here is “purify” used in a sentence: “She wanted to purify her diet by cutting out processed food.”
What is another word for “purify”?
Words with a similar meaning to “purify” include lustrate and luster.
What is the opposite of “purify”?
The opposite of “purify” — its antonyms — is defile.
What part of speech is “purify”?
“Purify” is a verb.
Where does the word “purify” come from?
The word “purify” comes from Latin. From Old French purifier, from Latin pūrificāre, from pūrus ("pure") plus facere ("to make").
Is “purify” a common word?
“Purify” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
