Words / B2

PY-oorl-ee/ˈpjʊəli/

Purely means only, for no other reason: purely observational; purely coincidental. Only is everyday; solely is a formal twin. The visit was purely observational. Mix-up: pure is the adjective (pure water). Do not use purely to mean “very” (“purely huge”).

Meaning

Only; for no other reason.

Examples

• “The visit was purely observational; no interviews were recorded.”
• “The overlap was purely coincidental, which is the “no other cause” sense.”

Good to know

purely + adjective / for + noun. Everyday: only. Formal: solely. Methods and legal hedges. Sole reason, not an intensifier.

Near in meaning

only

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