purify
gb/pjˈʊɹəfˌaɪ/ us/pjˈʊɹəfˌaɪ/
B2
English
megtisztít
VERB
B2
1
megtisztít
B1
Usage pattern:
purify [something]
They installed a new system to purify the tap water.
Új rendszert telepítettek a csapvíz megtisztítására.
This device purifies indoor air by trapping dust and smoke particles.
Ez a készülék úgy tisztítja meg a beltéri levegőt, hogy felfogja a por- és füstrészecskéket.
The lab purified the compound before running the final test.
Learner examples
We purify water before we drink it.
Megtisztítjuk a vizet, mielőtt megisszuk.
This filter purifies the air in my room.
Ez a szűrő megtisztítja a levegőt a szobámban.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse purify with disinfect: disinfect means kill germs, while purify means remove impurities (sometimes including germs).
Meaning
remove impurities from a substance
Collocations
purify water
|purify drinking water
|purify the air
|purify air indoors
|purify a solution
|purify a chemical
|purify a compound
|purify a gas
|purify a sample
|purify wastewater
Synonyms
clean (More general and less scientific; does not always imply removing specific impurities.)
|
filter (Emphasizes passing through a device/material to remove particles.)
|
refine (Often used for substances like oil or sugar; suggests processing to improve purity/quality.)
Antonyms
contaminate (To make something impure by adding harmful or unwanted substances.)
|
pollute (Commonly used for air, water, or the environment.)
Themes
health
|science
|environment
|daily_life
Definition
To make something clean by removing bad or dirty things from it.
To remove dirt, harmful substances, or other unwanted material from something, especially a liquid, gas, or chemical substance.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
megtisztít
B2
Usage pattern:
purify [someone/something] (of/from [something])
In the story, the hero seeks to purify his soul after years of violence.
A történetben a hős az erőszak évei után igyekszik megtisztítani a lelkét.
Some rituals are meant to purify worshippers before prayer.
Egyes szertartások arra szolgálnak, hogy ima előtt megtisztítsák a hívőket.
She tried to purify her mind by letting go of resentment.
Learner examples
He wants to purify his heart.
Meg akarja tisztítani a szívét.
They believe water can purify the soul.
Úgy hiszik, a víz meg tudja tisztítani a lelket.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse purify in everyday situations where clean or wash is natural; this sense is usually religious or formal.
Meaning
make morally or spiritually clean
Collocations
purify the soul
|purify the heart
|purify the mind
|purify yourself
|purify the spirit
|purify the body
|purify someone of sin
|purify one’s thoughts
Synonyms
cleanse (Common in religious and moral contexts; slightly broader and more frequent.)
|
absolve (Specifically means to officially forgive sin or blame, often by an authority.)
Antonyms
corrupt (To make morally worse or dishonest.)
|
taint (To spoil moral purity or reputation.)
Themes
religion
|ethics
|emotions
Definition
To make someone morally or spiritually clean again.
To free someone or something from sin, guilt, or immoral influence; to make morally or spiritually pure.
VERB
B2
3
megtisztít
B2
Usage pattern:
purify [something]
Before training the model, the team purified the dataset by removing duplicates and errors.
A modell betanítása előtt a csapat az ismétlődéseket és a hibákat eltávolítva megtisztította az adatkészletet.
The editor tried to purify the article of biased language.
A szerkesztő megpróbálta megtisztítani a cikket az elfogult nyelvezettől.
Over time, the rules were purified into a shorter, clearer set of principles.
Learner examples
We purified the data and deleted the mistakes.
Megtisztítottuk az adatokat, és töröltük a hibákat.
The teacher purified the text of bad words.
A tanár megtisztította a szöveget a csúnya szavaktól.
Common mistake:
This figurative use can sound strong or ideological in topics like culture or politics; learners may prefer clean up or simplify in casual contexts.
Meaning
remove unwanted elements from something
Collocations
purify the data
|purify the language
|purify the system
|purify the process
|purify the supply chain
|purify the message
|purify a tradition
|purify the code
Synonyms
clean up (More informal; common for data, messes, or problems.)
|
sanitize (Often means remove offensive details or make something seem less bad; can imply hiding the truth.)
|
simplify (Focuses on making something easier, not necessarily removing contamination.)
Antonyms
pollute (To introduce unwanted elements (e.g., 'pollute the discussion with rumors').)
|
distort (To change something so it is less accurate or true.)
Themes
technology
|communication
|society
Definition
To make something better by removing bad or unnecessary parts.
To remove unwanted, incorrect, or undesirable parts from something abstract such as information, language, processes, or a system, in order to make it cleaner or more acceptable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
purify
IPA
GB/pjˈʊɹəfˌaɪ/
US/pjˈʊɹəfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
puri - fy (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (puri)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: purify
- 3rd Person Singular: purifies
- Present Participle: purifying
- Past: purified
Word family
Expressions
purify by fire
1/pjˈʊɹəfˌaɪ bˈaɪ fˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
literary
cleanse through hardship or destruction
To become better or cleaner after a very difficult experience.
Examples
- In the novel, the city is purified by fire and rebuilt from the ashes.
- He believed the movement had to be purified by fire before it could succeed.
- The speech framed the crisis as a moment to be purified by fire.