What does "purely" mean?

1. (only or solely) only for one specific reason or purpose. 2. (completely or entirely) completely or totally. 3. (in a clean or moral way) in a way that is clean, honest, or morally good.

How do you use "purely"?

Often placed before a prepositional phrase or an adjective to narrow the focus. Commonly modifies adjectives to show a total state.

purely

adv.

US //ˈpjʊɹɫi// UK //pjˈɔːli// pure·ly

1 only or solely (adv.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

only for one specific reason or purpose.

exclusively or solely; used to limit the scope of a statement to a single factor or motive.

Example

The decision to move was purely for financial reasons.

Example

The committee insisted that the selection process was purely merit-based, despite allegations of personal bias among the senior members.

Usage

Often placed before a prepositional phrase or an adjective to narrow the focus.
- partly
- partially
2 completely or entirely (adv.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

completely or totally.

wholly or entirely; used to emphasize that a quality is present without any other elements.

Example

The story she told was purely fictional.

Example

The scientist argued that the phenomenon was purely physical and required no metaphysical explanation.

Usage

Commonly modifies adjectives to show a total state.
- slightly
- somewhat

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3 in a clean or moral way (adv.)
C2 Proficiency Literary

in a way that is clean, honest, or morally good.

in a chaste, innocent, or unadulterated manner.

Example

He lived his life purely, always trying to do the right thing.

Example

The poet spoke of a love that existed purely in the spirit, untouched by the complications of the material world.
- virtuously
- innocently
- cleanly
- sinfully
- corruptly

Etymology 1

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

Etymology 2

From pure + -ly.