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
4
: in a chaste or innocent manner
Synonyms
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
Shaping Tomorrow's Intelligence Today The shift from purely generative to more agentic AI represents a fundamental reimagining of what artificial intelligence can be.
—
Bernard Marr, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
On a purely statistical basis, the 1930-31 team remain the worst version of Manchester United the English top flight has seen, losing their first 12 games of that season, something no subsequent side has ever matched.
—Andy Mitten, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
What bird flu will look like throughout the rest of 2025 is purely speculative at this point.
—Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
The result was the most purely entertaining film either director ever made, either separately or together.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Jan. 2025
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Bernard Marr, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
On a purely statistical basis, the 1930-31 team remain the worst version of Manchester United the English top flight has seen, losing their first 12 games of that season, something no subsequent side has ever matched.
—Andy Mitten, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
What bird flu will look like throughout the rest of 2025 is purely speculative at this point.
—Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
The result was the most purely entertaining film either director ever made, either separately or together.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for purely
Dictionary Entries Near purely
Cite this Entry
“Purely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purely. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
purely
adverb
pure·ly
ˈpyu̇(ə)r-lē 
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
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