pure
♦ pure /pj'ʊər/ (purer purest)
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A pure substance is not mixed with anything else.
...a carton of pure orange juice.
2 [ADJ]
Something that is pure is clean and does not contain any harmful substances.
In remote regions, the air is pure and the crops are free of poisonous insecticides.
...demands for purer and cleaner river water.
● purity [N-UNCOUNT] with poss
They worried about the purity of tap water.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you describe something such as a colour, a sound, or a type of light as pure, you mean that it is very clear and represents a perfect example of its type.
...flowers in a whole range of blues with the occasional pure white.
● purity [N-UNCOUNT]
The soaring purity of her voice conjured up the frozen bleakness of the Far North.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you describe a form of art or a philosophy as pure, you mean that it is produced or practised according to a standard or form that is expected of it. (FORMAL)
Nicholson never swerved from his aim of making pure and simple art.
● purity [N-UNCOUNT]
...verse of great purity, sonority of rhythm, and symphonic form.
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
Pure science or pure research is concerned only with theory and not with how this theory can be used in practical ways.
Physics isn't just about pure science with no immediate applications...
≠ applied
6 [ADJ]
Pure means complete and total.
The old man turned to give her a look of pure surprise...
= sheer
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A pure substance is not mixed with anything else.
...a carton of pure orange juice.
2 [ADJ]
Something that is pure is clean and does not contain any harmful substances.
In remote regions, the air is pure and the crops are free of poisonous insecticides.
...demands for purer and cleaner river water.
● purity [N-UNCOUNT] with poss
They worried about the purity of tap water.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you describe something such as a colour, a sound, or a type of light as pure, you mean that it is very clear and represents a perfect example of its type.
...flowers in a whole range of blues with the occasional pure white.
● purity [N-UNCOUNT]
The soaring purity of her voice conjured up the frozen bleakness of the Far North.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you describe a form of art or a philosophy as pure, you mean that it is produced or practised according to a standard or form that is expected of it. (FORMAL)
Nicholson never swerved from his aim of making pure and simple art.
● purity [N-UNCOUNT]
...verse of great purity, sonority of rhythm, and symphonic form.
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
Pure science or pure research is concerned only with theory and not with how this theory can be used in practical ways.
Physics isn't just about pure science with no immediate applications...
≠ applied
6 [ADJ]
Pure means complete and total.
The old man turned to give her a look of pure surprise...
= sheer