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Definition of purist

purist

/ˈpjʊr.ɪst/
pur · ist
Adverb:puristically
•
Plural:purists
•
Adjective:puristic
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purist Lexical Profile

purist Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who insists on strict adherence to traditional rules, authentic forms, or established standards, especially in language, art, music, or cuisine.

Example

"As a culinary purist, the chef refused to add cream to his traditional Roman carbonara."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

Characterized by or advocating strict adherence to traditional rules, forms, or standards without compromise or modernization.

Example

"The ensemble adopted a strictly purist approach to performing Baroque music, using only period-authentic instruments."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for purist

• Nearby Words

purifier
purify
puriri
purist
puritan
puritanical
puritanically

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 18th century from French 'puriste', formed from 'pur' ('pure', from Latin 'purus') and the suffix '-iste', originally referring to someone who insisted on strict correctness in language.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Purist. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/purist
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