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
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
Some may prefer the spontaneity of a purely organic game.
—
Brian Roberts, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Even purely digital changes can take decades, Brooks points to the internet's transition from IPv4, which can only address about 2 billion devices—far fewer than the number of people on Earth—to IPv6 addressing, which can handle trillions.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Any prices or levels shown are either historical or purely indicative.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
This newfound emphasis should not be seen as moderation, but as a calculated reading of political winds which point towards the far-right becoming a serious governing force, rather than purely oppositional.
—TIME, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purely
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Brian Roberts, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Even purely digital changes can take decades, Brooks points to the internet's transition from IPv4, which can only address about 2 billion devices—far fewer than the number of people on Earth—to IPv6 addressing, which can handle trillions.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Any prices or levels shown are either historical or purely indicative.
—Katie Stockton, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
This newfound emphasis should not be seen as moderation, but as a calculated reading of political winds which point towards the far-right becoming a serious governing force, rather than purely oppositional.
—TIME, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purely
Cite this Entry
“Purely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purely. Accessed 3 Mar. 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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