purify: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal/neutral
Quick answer
What does “purify” mean?
to remove impurities or unwanted elements from something, making it clean or pure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to remove impurities or unwanted elements from something, making it clean or pure
to make something morally or spiritually clean; to refine or clarify something abstract (like language or thought)
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/conservative in British English; more likely in technical/industrial contexts in American English.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “purify” in a Sentence
purify something (from/of something)be purifiedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “purify” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new system will purify water for the entire village.
- He sought to purify his soul through meditation.
American English
- This filter purifies tap water effectively.
- The ceremony is meant to purify the community's spirit.
adverb
British English
- The water was purify processed before distribution.
- The data was purify analysed.
American English
- The solution was purify filtered.
- The intentions were purify stated.
adjective
British English
- The purified sample showed no contaminants.
- She drank only purified bottled water.
American English
- Purified air is pumped into the laboratory.
- They installed a purified water system.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in quality control or environmental reports (e.g., 'purify the manufacturing process').
Academic
Common in chemistry, environmental science, religious studies, and philosophy.
Everyday
Most often about water filters, air purifiers, or detox diets.
Technical
Specific processes like distillation, ion exchange, or reverse osmosis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “purify”
- Incorrect preposition: 'purify from' (correct) vs. 'purify off' (incorrect).
- Using it for simple cleaning: 'I purified the kitchen floor' (unnatural).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's commonly used metaphorically for abstract concepts like thoughts, intentions, language, or systems.
'Cleanse' often implies a thorough cleaning, sometimes with moral/spiritual overtones, while 'purify' emphasizes removing specific impurities to achieve purity.
Yes, frequently (e.g., 'The water was purified before use').
It is neutral to formal; in everyday speech, people might use 'clean' or 'filter' for physical contexts.
to remove impurities or unwanted elements from something, making it clean or pure.
Purify: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpjʊərɪfaɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpjʊrəˌfaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “purify one's heart”
- “purify the ranks”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PURE-ify: think of making something PURE.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY IS CLEANLINESS / SPIRITUALITY IS PURITY
Practice
Quiz
Which context is LEAST appropriate for 'purify'?