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 ˈpurely¹

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

Example Sentences

But she claimed the messages she had exchanged with Mr Berry about killing him were purely "a fantasy".

Read more on BBC

It wasn’t purely about visiting his favorite old sushi spot.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Also unsatisfying are some purely plot-driven scenes, such as a sequence in which Joe rescues the artist Salvador Dalí from a deep-sea diver costume.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Sèvres Extraordinaire!” approaches its subject—pioneering, astonishing ceramic confections that are neither purely functional nor purely decorative but sui generis art, or “sculpture”—in the broadest sense.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

BBC sources denied a report in the Telegraph that the corporation's director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, viewed the event as "elitist", adding that the decision had been purely based on the return on investment.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• altogether 
• completely 
• entirely 
• essentially 
• exactly 
• exclusively 
• merely 
• plainly www.thesaurus.com
• quite 
• solely 
• totally 
• utterly 
• wholly