Purported
/pərˈpɔːrtɪd/
adjectiveverbC1past participle
Definition
Purported describes something that is said to be true or real, but this is not confirmed. It often means that someone claims something, but others might doubt it or want proof. It can be used as an adjective or as the past participle of the verb "purport," which means to claim or appear to be something.
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See It in Action
Claimed to be true or real, but not confirmed
- •The purported author of the letter has never been identified.
- •The purported cause of the accident is still under investigation.
- •She is the purported owner of the lost painting.
(Verb) To claim or appear to be something, often without proof
- •The article purported to explain the mystery.
- •He purported to be an expert in the field.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "purported" like "said" or "claimed" (A2 words), but with a question about the truth—it's what someone says, but you are not sure if it is right
- ✓Picture a newspaper headline saying "Purported UFO sighting"—you imagine a story about a UFO, but you don't know if it really happened
- ✓It's the feeling when a friend tells you a story, but you wonder if it is true or just a rumor
- ✓Sounds like "pur-PORT-ed" → imagine someone carrying (port) a story that may or may not be true, like carrying a package that might be empty
- ✓Think of mystery stories where characters have "purported" identities, meaning they say who they are, but you are not sure
- ✓NOT like "certain" or "proven"—purported means it is not sure or confirmed yet
- ✓NOT like "true"—it is only claimed, not guaranteed
- ✓When used as a verb, it means to claim or say something, often with some doubt about the truth
Try Other Words
- •Alleged: said to be true but not proven (Use when the truth is doubted or needs proof)
- •Claimed: stated as true (Use when focusing on the act of saying something is true)
- •So-called: used to show doubt about a name or title (Use when you want to express skepticism about a label or name)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "pur-" (from Latin "pro" meaning forward or forth) + "port" (carry) + "-ed" (past participle suffix)
- •Etymology: From Latin "purportare," meaning to carry forward or to mean
- •Historical development: Originally meant to mean or intend something; in English, it evolved to mean to claim or say something, often with doubt
- •Modern usage: Used to describe something claimed or said, especially when the truth is uncertain or questioned
Reflect & Connect
•Why do people use the word "purported" instead of just "claimed"? What effect does it have on how we understand information?
•Can something be both purported and true at the same time? How do we decide when to trust a purported fact?
Fill in the blanks
1.The purported reason for his absence was ___, but no proof was given.
2.She is the purported owner of the house, but the official papers ___ missing.
3.The article purported to explain the event, but many readers ___ it.
4.The purported expert gave advice that was later ___ false.
5.Unlike confirmed facts, purported information often needs ___ before acceptance.
6.When someone is purported to be a leader, people may ___ their real identity.
7.The purported cause of the problem was ___, but the investigation is ongoing.