What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pure
Example
The water in the mountain stream is pure and clean. [pure: adjective]
Example
She has a pure heart and always tries to do the right thing. [pure: adjective]
genuine
Example
I bought a genuine leather jacket at the store. [genuine: adjective]
Example
Her smile was genuine and heartfelt. [genuine: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Genuine is more commonly used than pure in everyday language. Genuine is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pure is less common and is mostly used in specific contexts such as describing physical substances.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pure and genuine?
Both pure and genuine can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, pure may be more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts, while genuine may be more commonly used in personal or emotional contexts.