purely
gb/pjˈʊɹli/ us/pjˈʊɹli/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
completely or entirely
Completely, with nothing else mixed in.
Usage pattern:
purely [adjective/adverb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'purely' with 'surely', which has a different meaning of certainty, not completeness.
Synonyms
entirely (Very close in meaning; often interchangeable but 'purely' can emphasize absence of other elements.)
Antonyms
partially (Indicates that something is only partly true, the opposite of 'purely' meaning completely.)
Collocations
purely academic
|purely personal
|purely coincidental
|purely financial
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her decision was made purely for financial reasons.
- The error was purely accidental.
- This is a purely personal matter and has nothing to do with work.
- The new rule is purely administrative.
- The choice was made purely on merit.
Learner examples
- This is purely my opinion.
- It was purely a mistake.
- The trip was purely for fun.
- His work is purely online.
adverb
B2
property
2
in a morally pure manner
In a way that is good and honest, without bad actions or thoughts.
Usage pattern:
purely [verb]
Synonyms
virtuously (Implies acting according to high moral standards; slightly more formal than 'purely'.)
Antonyms
corruptly (Acting in an immoral or dishonest way, opposite of morally purely.)
Collocations
act purely
|live purely
|behave purely
Themes
ethics
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He claimed to be acting purely out of concern for the community.
- She lived purely, avoiding any actions she considered wrong.
- They conducted business purely, without deception or fraud.
Learner examples
- He works purely to help others.
- She lives purely and simply.
- They act purely for good reasons.
Grammar
Dictionary form
purely
IPA
GB/pjˈʊɹli/
US/pjˈʊɹli/
Syllables & stress
purely (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (purely)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: purely
- Plural: purelies
Word family
Expressions
purely academic
1/pjˈʊɹli ˌækədˈɛmɪk/
fixed phrase
only theoretical, no real effect
Only about ideas or theory, not about real-life results.
Examples
- The question is purely academic since the law has already changed.
- Their debate was interesting but purely academic.
purely coincidental
1/pjˈʊɹli koʊˌɪnsədˈɛntəl/
fixed phrase
happening only by chance
Happening by chance and not planned.
Examples
- Our meeting at the cafe was purely coincidental.
- The similarity between the two stories is purely coincidental.
purely personal
1/pjˈʊɹli pˈɚsənəl/
fixed phrase
only about private matters
Only about your own life or feelings, not work or public matters.
Examples
- Her reasons for leaving were purely personal.
- This is a purely personal decision and not related to the company.