“Purest” or “Purist”—Which to use?

“Purest” or “Purist”

Overview

purest / purist are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

purest: (adjective) free of extraneous elements of any kind. (adjective) free from discordant qualities. (adjective) concerned with theory and data rather than practice; opposed to applied. (adjective) (used of persons or behaviors) having no faults; sinless; - Sylvia Plath. (adjective) in a state of sexual virginity.

purist: (noun) someone who insists on great precision and correctness (especially in the use of words).

Pronunciation

purest: p·y·UH·r·ah·s·t

purist: p·y·UH·r·ih·s·t

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Examples in Context

Examples of “purest”

O Purest of Creatures, Sweet Mother, Sweet…
…Edward, "... who is Burton's purest achievement as a director so
…Boy' one of the band's purest pop statements".
…is considered the oldest and purest among the Luba-Kasai.
…not be blessed with the purest set of pipes, but his…
In the purest form, operation method sheets are…
…Chablis is one of the "purest" expressions of the varietal character…

Examples of “purist”

…how much of a jazz purist you are will give you…
…I try to be a purist and go, 'You know, I'm…

(Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions drawn from WordNet.)

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