A purist is someone who believes in doing things in the most traditional, correct, or authentic way possible, and who often objects when others take shortcuts or make changes. A grammar purist might insist that you should never split an infinitive or end a sentence with a preposition, even in casual conversation. A baseball purist might argue against the designated hitter rule because it changes the classic structure of the game.

Purists care deeply about maintaining standards and preserving what they see as the “right way” to do things. A cooking purist might insist that real Italian carbonara can only be made with guanciale (a specific type of pork) and that using bacon is completely wrong. A music purist might refuse to listen to digital recordings, insisting that vinyl records produce the only authentic sound.

The word often carries a slightly critical tone, suggesting someone who takes their standards so seriously that they become inflexible or judgmental. While purists can help preserve valuable traditions and maintain high standards, they can also make it harder for practices to evolve or for beginners to feel welcome. There's often a tension between purists who want to keep everything exactly as it's always been and people who want to adapt traditions to modern times or personal circumstances.