Pure-T

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "pure-T" is an intensifier meaning completely, utterly, or downright. It adds emphasis to almost anything - a colorful way to say something is the real deal, through and through.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

synonyms: utterly, downright, completely, absolutely

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I heared 'pure-T' growin' up, but I haven't heard it in years. It's a good one.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I heared 'pure-T' growin' up, but I haven't heard it in years. It's a good one.

Pronunciation

[PYUR-tee]
/ˈpjʊɹ.ti/

Meaning & Usage

- Completely; utterly; downright (adverb/intensifier)

Mae:

That stew’s pure-T delicious.

Earl:

And you’re pure-T lazy for not helpin’ wash up.

variations: pure-tee, pure tee

Origin and Etymology

"Pure-T" (also written "pure-tee") developed in Southern and Appalachian English as an intensifier meaning "utterly" or "completely." Its exact origin is uncertain, though it may have formed as a spoken flourish on "pure," similar to other regional amplifiers like "plumb," "right," or "clean." It’s been recorded in Southern speech since the early 1900s in phrases such as "pure-T foolishness," "pure-T crazy," and "pure-T cyarn."

Usage Notes

Common throughout the South and Appalachia, often for humor or emphasis.

Used before adjectives or nouns: "pure-T nonsense," "pure-T truth."
Interchangeable with other Southern intensifiers like "plumb" or "slam."
Still widely recognized, especially among older speakers.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "pure-T" mean?

It means completely, utterly, or downright - a Southern way to intensify a statement.

How is "pure-T" used?

It’s placed before an adjective or noun for emphasis: "pure-T foolishness," "pure-T crazy."

Where did it come from?

From "pure," with an added spoken flourish "Tee," likely a dialectal form of emphasis that became fixed in Southern speech.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 14). Pure-T. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/pure-t
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Pure-T." HillbillySlang.com, 14 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/pure-t.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Pure-T." HillbillySlang.com. October 14, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/pure-t.