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purity

/ˈpjʊrədi/
/ˈpjʌrɪti/
IPA guide

Other forms: purities

Something that exhibits purity hasn't been tainted by something morally or physically. Children, fresh snow, and solid gold are all known for their purity.

Purity comes from the Latin purus meaning "clean, clear, unmixed, chaste." When you're talking about something that is clean and unmixed, you are talking about something characterized by purity. This can refer to someone's character or intentions. It can also describe an object or element. When you're high in the mountains, far from the city's congestion, the purity of the air is a relief to the lungs.

Definitions of purity
  1. noun
    being undiluted or unmixed with extraneous material
    synonyms: pureness
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    impurity
    the condition of being impure
    types:
    plainness
    the state of being unmixed with other material
    type of:
    condition, status
    a state at a particular time
  2. noun
    the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong; lacking a knowledge of evil
    see moresee less
    types:
    cleanness
    without moral defects
    type of:
    condition, status
    a state at a particular time
  3. noun
    a woman's virtue or chastity
    synonyms: honor, honour, pureness
    see moresee less
    type of:
    chastity, sexual morality, virtue
    morality with respect to sexual relations
Pronunciation
US
/ˈpjʊrədi/
UK
/ˈpjʌrɪti/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘purity'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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