Definition of PURPORT

purport

Plural: purports

Noun

  • the intended meaning of a communication
  • the pervading meaning or tenor
  • Import, intention or purpose.
  • A disguise; a covering.

Verb

Verb Forms: purported, purporting, purports

  • To appear or claim to be or do something, often falsely.
  • have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming
    • "The letter purports to express people's opinion"
  • propose or intend
  • To convey, imply, or profess (often falsely or inaccurately).
  • To intend.

Examples

  • He purported to become an international man of affairs.
  • He purports himself to be an international man of affairs.
  • The player’s strange move did PURPORT to be strategic, but it lost him points.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English purporten, from Anglo-Norman purporter and Old French porporter (“convey, contain, carry”), from pur-, from Latin pro (“forth”) + Old French porter (“carry”), from Latin portō (“carry”).

Scrabble Score: 11

purport: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
purport: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
purport: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

purport: valid Words With Friends Word