purifier

/ˈpjʊərɪfaɪ.ər/
device that cleans air or water

She bought an air purifier to remove allergens from her bedroom.

Example of using a machine to clean the air in a living space.


Engineering
technical

A device or substance that removes impurities from air or water.

The water purifier ensures safe drinking water by removing contaminants.

Example of a system that filters harmful particles from water.

High-efficiency air purifiers are recommended for asthma patients.

Reference to devices improving air quality for health reasons.

Commonly used in household and industrial settings for purification.

formal

A person or thing that makes something pure or clean.

The priest served as a purifier of the soul.

Example of a person acting as a moral or spiritual cleaner.

Less common usage; often metaphorical.

Collocations

air purifierdevice cleaning indoor airwater purifiersystem filtering drinking waterHEPA purifierhigh-efficiency air filter device

Pro Tip

Avoid confusion with 'purify'

'Purifier' is a noun (device/person), while 'purify' is a verb meaning to clean or make pure. Example: 'The purifier cleans the water' (correct) vs. 'The water purify the air' (incorrect).

Gold Rule

Plural form

The plural of 'purifier' is 'purifiers'. Example: 'Several purifiers are installed in the office.'

Word Origin

From Latin 'purificare' (to make clean), combining 'purus' (pure) + 'facere' (to make). First recorded in English in the late 14th century as a verb; noun usage emerged in the 17th century.

Usage Notes

Primarily used as a noun in modern contexts. Avoid using as a verb ('purify' is the correct verb form).

Word Breakdown

pur-
clean or pure
root
+
-ify
to make
suffix
+
-er
one who does or device that performs
suffix
English Dictionary