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purport
[ verb per-pawrt, -pohrt, pur-pawrt, -pohrt; noun pur-pawrt, -pohrt ]
/ verb pərˈpɔrt, -ˈpoʊrt, ˈpɜr pɔrt, -poʊrt; noun ˈpɜr pɔrt, -poʊrt /
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verb (used with object)
to present, especially deliberately, the appearance of being; profess or claim, often falsely: a document purporting to be official.
to convey to the mind as the meaning or thing intended; express or imply.
noun
the meaning, import, or sense: the main purport of your letter.
purpose; intention; object: the main purport of their visit to France.
OTHER WORDS FOR purport
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
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
synonym study for purport
3. See meaning.
OTHER WORDS FROM purport
pur·port·less, adjectiveWords nearby purport
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use purport in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for purport
purport
verb (pɜːˈpɔːt) (tr)
to claim (to be a certain thing, etc) by manner or appearance, esp falsely
(esp of speech or writing) to signify or imply
noun (ˈpɜːpɔːt)
meaning; significance
purpose; object; intention
Word Origin for purport
C15: from Anglo-French: contents, from Old French porporter to convey, from por- forth + porter to carry, from Latin portāre
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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