purely

[ pyoor-lee ]

adverb

1. in a pure manner; without admixture.
2. merely; only; solely:

   purely accidental.

3. entirely; completely.
4. innocently, virtuously, or chastely.

ˈpurely

/ ˈpjʊəlɪ /

adverb

1. in a pure manner
2. entirely

   purely by chance

3. in a chaste or innocent manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of purely¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, purely is from the Middle English word purliche; pure, -ly

Example Sentences

“It then became two, and three," he says, "then after package four it was purely about the money.”

From BBC

Crucially, he argued that this decision was a purely “political question” for states, Congress, and the president to decide—meaning that courts cannot overrule their determination that an invasion exists.

From Slate

Kwan, a wealthy doctor who lived in a large detached home in Ingleby Barwick with his wife and young son, was motivated purely by greed, Mr Makepeace said.

From BBC

"He was selling to children, targeting youngsters at a nightclub where no alcohol was available, it was purely for children and was a dry evening."

From BBC

Responding to the chancellor's Budget speech, Rishi Sunak said Labour's claims about the state of the economy they inherited were "purely ludicrous".

From BBC

Related Words

• altogether
• completely
• entirely
• essentially
• exactly
• exclusively
• merely
• plainly
• quite
• solely
• totally
• utterly
• wholly