purport
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
-
the meaning, import, or sense.
the main purport of your letter.
- Synonyms:
- gist, trend, drift, implication
-
purpose; intention; object.
the main purport of their visit to France.
verb
-
to claim (to be a certain thing, etc) by manner or appearance, esp falsely
-
(esp of speech or writing) to signify or imply
noun
-
meaning; significance
-
purpose; object; intention
Synonym Usage
See meaning.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has purportedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have purportedperfect
-
are purportingprogressive
-
have been purportingperfect progressive
-
has been purportingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
am purportingprogressive 1st person singular
-
is purportingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
purportingparticiple
-
purportssingular 3rd person
Past
-
had purportedperfect
-
were purportingprogressive plural
-
was purportingprogressive singular
-
purportedsimple
-
purportedparticiple
-
had been purportingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of purport
First recorded in 1375–1425; (verb) late Middle English purporten, from Anglo-French purporter “to mean, signify,” Old French porporter “to carry, convey,” equivalent to pur- pro- 1 + porter “to carry” (from Latin portāre ); (noun) late Middle English, from Anglo-French, derivative of the verb
Explanation
Use purport when you want to convince people about something that might not be true, like when you purport that the dog ate your homework. The verb purport can mean "to claim" — whether you mean it or not — or "to intend," like when you purport to study all night. So it makes sense that as a noun, purport means the intention or purpose, like the purport of a political candidate's speech was to get your vote. If the speech was long and hard to follow, you might be lucky just to get the purport, which here means "the main point or meaning."
Vocabulary lists containing purport
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Words That Could Go Either Way: Synonyms for "Maybe"
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Grade 12, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Avoid those who purport to guarantee the IRS will pay.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
Many Christians seem to be engaging with apps that purport to preach the faith.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
It’s only rational to be angered by someone who isn’t who they say they are, who doesn’t uphold the values they purport to champion.
From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026
Nor did the Supreme Court in Kennedy purport to overturn every decision that relied on Lemon; to the contrary, it expressly acknowledged and distinguished several such cases as good law.
From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026
I did not hear of this charade until the next day, and did not understand its purport; rather thinking it a pleasant interlude from the more brutal games of the Sons of Liberty.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
