pure
gb/pjˈʊɹ/ us/pjˈʊɹ/
A2
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Not mixed with other things
Having only one thing in it; not mixed with anything different.
Usage pattern:
[something] is pure [substance/material]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pure' with 'clean'. 'Pure' means nothing else is mixed in, while 'clean' means free from dirt.
Synonyms
unmixed (Focuses on the absence of any mixture or combination.)
Antonyms
impure (Contains other substances or contaminants.)
Collocations
pure water
|pure gold
|pure air
|pure alcohol
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This bottle contains pure spring water.
- The necklace is made of pure gold.
- They inhaled the pure mountain air.
- The chemist needs pure alcohol for the experiment.
Learner examples
- The glass has pure water in it.
- This ring is made of pure gold.
- We drank pure milk from the farm.
adjective
B1
property
2
Morally good and innocent
Good and without bad thoughts or actions.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is pure [in heart/mind]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'pure' for substances. Here it refers to moral or emotional qualities.
Synonyms
innocent (Suggests freedom from guilt or wrongdoing, especially in a moral sense.)
Antonyms
corrupt (Morally dishonest or evil.)
Collocations
pure heart
|pure soul
|pure intentions
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has a pure heart and always helps others.
- His love for her was pure and selfless.
- The child’s pure laughter filled the room.
Learner examples
- She has a pure heart.
- The boy’s mind is pure.
- He has pure love for his family.
adjective
B1
property
3
Complete and total
Completely or only that thing; nothing else.
Usage pattern:
pure [emotion/state/quality]
Common mistake:
Learners might think 'pure' here means 'clean' or 'not mixed', but in this usage it means 'complete' or 'only'.
Synonyms
absolute (Stresses totality or completeness without limitation.)
Antonyms
partial (Only part of something, not complete.)
Collocations
pure joy
|pure nonsense
|pure luck
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Winning the championship was pure joy.
- What he said is pure nonsense.
- It was pure luck that we found the place.
Learner examples
- The game was pure fun.
- This story is pure nonsense.
- It was pure luck we met.
adjective
A2
property
4
Clean and uncontaminated
Clean and safe to use or eat.
Usage pattern:
pure [food/water/air]
Synonyms
clean (Emphasizes absence of dirt or pollution rather than absence of mixture.)
Antonyms
polluted (Contaminated with harmful substances.)
Collocations
pure drinking water
|pure environment
Themes
daily life
|health
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The villagers have no access to pure drinking water.
- They moved to the countryside for its pure air.
- This laboratory requires a pure environment.
Learner examples
- We drink pure water every day.
- The air here is pure.
- I like pure food with no chemicals.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pure
IPA
GB/pjˈʊɹ/
US/pjˈʊɹ/
Syllables & stress
pure (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pure)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: pure
- Comparative: purer
- Superlative: purest
Word family
Expressions
pure and simple
1/pjˈʊɹ ˈænd sˈɪmpəl/
fixed phrase
Nothing other than what is stated
Used to say that something is exactly what you say and nothing else.
Examples
- His statement was a lie, pure and simple.
- It’s greed, pure and simple.
sheer/pure luck
1/ʃˈiɹpjˈʊɹ lˈʌk/
fixed phrase
Complete chance without planning
When something happens only because of chance, not skill or planning.
Examples
- We won the game through pure luck.
- It was sheer luck that we arrived on time.
pure as the driven snow
1/pjˈʊɹ ˈæz ðə dɹˈɪvən snˈoʊ/
idiom
literary
Completely innocent and good
Very good and without bad thoughts or actions.
Examples
- She seems pure as the driven snow, but appearances can be deceiving.
- She acts as if she’s pure as the driven snow, but she’s not perfect.
- He claims to be pure as the driven snow.
- He’s not exactly pure as the driven snow when it comes to business dealings.