Word
purebred
Phoneticspure·bred, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpjʊɹˈbɹɛd/
UK/pjˈʊɹɛbɹəd/
Definition
adj. from parents that are both the same breed, with no mixing over many generations. You use it mostly for pets and farm animals like dogs and horses.
adj. having parents of the same recognized breed over several generations, without crossbreeding. Typically used for domestic animals such as dogs, horses, and cattle.
Examples
“They own a purebred Labrador that loves swimming.”
“The farmer paid extra for a purebred stallion to improve the herd's bloodline.”
“Although the shelter promotes mixed-breed adoption, the waiting list for purebred rescues remains long because some owners value predictable traits.”
Examples
simple
“They own a purebred Labrador that loves swimming.”
contextual
“The farmer paid extra for a purebred stallion to improve the herd's bloodline.”
complex
“Although the shelter promotes mixed-breed adoption, the waiting list for purebred rescues remains long because some owners value predictable traits.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “purebred” in context.
Verb
01. advertise as purebred
“The puppies were advertised as purebred with full health checks.”
verb + prep + adj
02. breed purebred
“They breed purebred Labradors on their farm in Wales.”
verb + adj
03. certify as purebred
“The vet checked the papers to certify the dog as purebred.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
04. fully purebred
“Both parents are registered, so the puppies are fully purebred.”
adv + adj
05. genuinely purebred
“DNA testing proved the foal was genuinely purebred.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. purebred cat
“A purebred cat usually costs more than a mixed-breed one.”
adj + noun
07. purebred dog
“They bought a purebred dog from a licensed breeder.”
adj + noun
08. purebred horse
“She rides a purebred horse in national dressage events.”
adj + noun
09. a certified purebred puppy
“We bought a certified purebred puppy from a trusted breeder.”
10. a purebred arabian horse
“She owns a purebred Arabian horse trained for endurance racing.”
11. breed purebred dogs for show
“They breed purebred dogs for show and competitions.”
12. guaranteed to be purebred
“The kittens are guaranteed to be purebred with papers.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“Purebred Arabian horses - spirited, fast and graceful - are treasured possessions for Gulf sheikhs and other rich collectors.” “Ha's father, a professor of animal husbandry, had set up a kennel to protect the few remaining purebred Sapsarees in the 1960s, with around 30 dogs.” Etymology
From pure + bred.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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