purport

1.

/ˈpɜrˌpɔrt/

have the often misleading appearance of being or intending

2.

/ˈpɜrpɔrt/

the intended meaning of a communication

Other forms: purporting; purported; purports

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."

Definitions of purport (/ˈpɜrˌpɔrt/)

1. verb

   have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming
   type of:

   claim

   assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
2. verb

   propose or intend
   synonyms: aim, propose, purpose

   type of:

   intend, mean, think

   have in mind as a purpose