# purport

/ˈpɝˌpɔɹt/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/purport
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

to claim to be something or to do something, especially when it may not be true.

For teachers: to claim or profess to be, do, or represent something, often implying doubt about the truth of the claim.

## Examples

- He purports to be an expert in antique furniture.
- The email purports to come from your bank and asks you to click a link.
- The memoir purports to offer an insider account of the negotiations, though historians question how much the author actually witnessed.

## Synonyms

claim, pretend, profess

## Usage notes

- Typically followed by a to-infinitive, as in 'purport to be' or 'purport to show'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.