purify

[pyoor-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

purified, purifying 

1. to make pure; free from anything that debases, pollutes, adulterates, or contaminates.

   to purify metals.

2. to free from foreign, extraneous, or objectionable elements.

   to purify a language.

3. to free from guilt or evil.

4. to clear or purge (usually followed by of orfrom ).

5. to make clean for ceremonial or ritual use.

verb (used without object)

purified, purifying 

1. to become pure.

purify

/ ˈpjʊərɪˌfaɪ, ˈpjʊərɪfɪˌkeɪtərɪ /

verb

1. to free (something) of extraneous, contaminating, or debasing matter

2. (tr) to free (a person, etc) from sin or guilt

3. (tr) to make clean, as in a ritual, esp the churching of women after childbirth

Other Word Forms

• purification noun
• purificatory adjective
• purifier noun
• nonpurifying adjective
• repurify verb
• self-purifying adjective
• unpurified adjective
• unpurifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purify¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English purifien, from Middle French purifier, from Latin pūrificāre; pure, -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of purify¹

C14: from Old French purifier, from Late Latin pūrificāre to cleanse, from pūrus pure + facere to make

Example Sentences

Separately, the US firm Electra is taking a different approach to producing highly purified iron from ores.

From BBC

One difference is that water is not metered and directly charged in Scotland where purifying, pumping and piping the stuff around is funded through the council tax.

From BBC

Under state rules adopted in 2023, the purified water that’s generated could eventually be pumped directly into pipes to supply drinking water.

From Los Angeles Times

"The objective of the liquid separation unit will be to purify cerium on one side, lanthanum on the other side," explains production manager Florian Gouneau as we walk up a flight of metal stairs.

From BBC

The product is made from small, purified doses of botulinum toxin, produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

From BBC

Related Words

• rarefy