purify

[ pyoor-uh-fahy ]

/ ˈpyʊər əˌfaɪ /

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See synonyms for: purify / purified / purifying / purification on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), pu·ri·fied, pu·ri·fy·ing.

to make pure; free from anything that debases, pollutes, adulterates, or contaminates: to purify metals.

to free from foreign, extraneous, or objectionable elements: to purify a language.

to free from guilt or evil.

to clear or purge (usually followed by of or from).

to make clean for ceremonial or ritual use.

verb (used without object), pu·ri·fied, pu·ri·fy·ing.

to become pure.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of purify

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English purifien, from Middle French purifier, from Latin pūrificāre; see pure, -ify

OTHER WORDS FROM purify

pu·ri·fi·ca·tion

[pyoor-uh-fi-key-shuhn], /pyʊər ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən/, nounpu·rif·i·ca·to·ry

[pyoo-rif-i-kuh-tawr-ee], /pyʊˈrɪf ɪ kəˌtɔr i/, adjectivepu·ri·fi·er, nounnon·pu·ri·fy·ing, adjective

re·pu·ri·fy, verb, re·pu·ri·fied, re·pu·ri·fy·ing.self-pu·ri·fy·ing, adjectiveun·pu·ri·fied, adjectiveun·pu·ri·fy·ing, adjective

Words nearby purify

purification, Purification of the Virgin Mary, purificator, purifier, puriform, purify, Purim, purine, puriri, purism, purist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use purify in a sentence

It sought to eradicate Western influences and force Afghans to conform to its vision of a “purified” Islamic Afghanistan.
Pre-war U.S. support for Afghan women’s rights offers a blueprint for the future|Kelly Shannon|August 24, 2021|Washington Post
It has been corrected to note that additional processing would be required to purify the recovered silicon to PV-grade.
Solar panels are a pain to recycle. These companies are trying to fix that.|Casey Crownhart|August 19, 2021|MIT Technology Review
If buildings can’t handle extra filtration at the central unit and building owners can’t afford to upgrade the HVAC system, portable air-purifying machines may help.
Cleaning indoor air may prevent COVID-19’s spread. But it’s harder than it looks|Tina Hesman Saey|May 18, 2021|Science News
The team purified the PET monomers and used them to make new clear plastic bottles.
New recycling technologies could keep more plastic out of landfills|Maria Temming|April 29, 2021|Science News For Students

Now based in Rwanda, she is COO at OffGridBox, a Boston-based startup whose all-in-one system uses energy from solar panels to charge batteries and purify water.
D-Lab project leads to solar career in Africa|Julie Fox|April 28, 2021|MIT Technology Review
As for the claims that activated charcoal will help purify your body from toxins?
Could Eating Charcoal Help You Detox?|DailyBurn|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"We have an Islamic government, an interior ministry trying to purify its image, and a conservative masculine society," he says.
Egypt’s Growing Gay-Rights Movement|Bel Trew|May 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“I picture scientists finding new ways to purify water, or diagnose disease,” Sindi says.
Rebel With a Cause|Abigail Pesta|October 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
From just past the city limits came Ernest Hemingway to purify the American language and create another heroic legend.
Obamaville|Don Rose|November 6, 2008|DAILY BEAST
This, he believed, would gradually reduce the number of members to what it then was, and would purify elections.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
To purify liquids by the dissipation of the volatile matters which may contaminate them.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
Not all Doctor Filhiols burning of pungent substances in the cabin had been able to purify the air.
Cursed|George Allan England
The heart of a man is like running water,—the years in their course purify the moral contagion.
The Wasted Generation|Owen Johnson
By this means, they may sweeten and sanctify domestic enjoyments; by this renew and purify the flame of affection.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I|Francis Augustus Cox

British Dictionary definitions for purify

purify

/ (ˈpjʊərɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

to free (something) of extraneous, contaminating, or debasing matter

(tr) to free (a person, etc) from sin or guilt

(tr) to make clean, as in a ritual, esp the churching of women after childbirth

Derived forms of purify

purification, nounpurificatory (ˈpjʊərɪfɪˌkeɪtərɪ), adjective

Word Origin for purify

C14: from Old French purifier, from Late Latin pūrificāre to cleanse, from pūrus pure + facere to make

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

purify

Origin of purify

OTHER WORDS FROM purify

Words nearby purify

Words related to purify

How to use purify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for purify

Derived forms of purify

Word Origin for purify