purport
/'pə:pət/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- The main or general meaning or message of something, especially a speech or document: The central idea or theme that is conveyed.
- The apparent or stated intention or purpose of an action or communication: What something claims or seems to be about.
Verb:
- To claim or profess, often without solid proof: To present an appearance or impression of being something, which may be misleading.
- To have as its main point or meaning: To be intended to seem or to mean.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The purport of his speech was a call for unity. (The main message of his speech was a call for unity.)
- I understood the general purport of the legal document. (I understood the general meaning of the legal document.)
Verb:
- The letter purports to be from the CEO, but the signature looks forged. (The letter claims to be from the CEO, but the signature looks forged.)
- The study purports to show a link between the two factors. (The study claims to show a link between the two factors.)
Advanced Usage
"to purport that...": To claim or assert that something is the case.
- The article purports that the event never happened. (The article claims that the event never happened.)
"purporting to be": Giving the impression of being something specific.
- He was arrested for carrying a document purporting to be an official passport. (He was arrested for carrying a document that appeared to be an official passport.)
Variants and Related Words
- Purportedly (adverb): According to what is claimed or appears to be true, often with a hint of doubt.
- The purportedly ancient artifact was found to be a modern fake. (The artifact, which was claimed to be ancient, was found to be a modern fake.)
Synonyms
- Noun: Gist, drift, tenor, meaning, significance.
- Verb: Claim, profess, pretend, allege, signify.
Related Phrases
- General purport: The overall meaning or main point.
- Despite the complex details, the general purport of the report was clear. (Despite the complex details, the overall meaning of the report was clear.)
Notes on Usage
- As a verb, "purport" often carries a connotation of skepticism. It is frequently used when the truth of the claim is questionable or needs verification.
- It is a formal word more common in written English, particularly in legal, academic, or journalistic contexts.
Noun
- the pervading meaning or tenor
- caught the general drift of the conversation
- the intended meaning of a communication
Verb
- propose or intend
- I aim to arrive at noon
- have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming
- The letter purports to express people's opinion