ENGLISH
REFERENCE

purely

adv. degree
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈpjʊɹɫi// UK //pjˈɔːli// pure·ly Archaic Dialect General-service

adv. completely or only. You use this to show that there is no other reason or part involved in something.

adv. entirely, exclusively, or for no other reason than the one stated.


SIMPLE

The decision was purely based on cost.

CONTEXTUAL

She chose the apartment purely for its location, ignoring the fact that the kitchen was tiny and outdated.

COMPLEX

While some critics argued the film had a political message, the director insisted that the project was purely an exercise in visual storytelling.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English purely, equivalent to pure + -ly.

Etymology 2

From pure + -ly.

Usage

Typically placed before the adjective or noun phrase it modifies to emphasize exclusivity.

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