Wholly: meaning, definitions and examples

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wholly

[ˈhoʊlli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

entirely

completely and fully

Synonyms

completely, entirely, fully, totally.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wholly	Formal or written language to express full belief or support. She is wholly committed to her new project The idea is wholly impractical
completely	Everyday conversation to indicate that something is 100% true or happened. I completely forgot about the meeting The plan completely failed
entirely	Formal or polite context to emphasize that something is true in every aspect. I am entirely convinced of her innocence She was entirely responsible for the event
fully	Any context where a detailed, comprehensive inclusion or understanding is needed. I fully understand the risks The project was fully funded by investors
totally	Casual or conversational context, often with a sense of exaggeration or emphasis. I was totally surprised by the party The room was totally dark

Examples of usage

He was wholly absorbed in his work.
She agreed with him wholly.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

to a great extent

to the full or entire extent; completely

Synonyms

absolutely, completely, entirely, thoroughly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wholly	Used when emphasizing that something covers all parts or aspects, often found in formal or written contexts. It can carry a sense of completion and unity. The house was wholly destroyed by the fire. She is wholly dedicated to her research.
completely	Used when indicating that something is full or total. It's often used to remove any sense of incompleteness. She completed the project completely on her own. The vase was completely shattered.
entirely	Used to emphasize that something is done or exists in its full extent, often replacing 'wholly' in less formal situations. The decision was entirely hers. It was entirely my fault.
thoroughly	Used when emphasizing that something is done very carefully and with attention to detail, often associated with processes or tasks. Make sure to clean the room thoroughly. He thoroughly enjoyed the concert.
absolutely	Used for strong emphasis and to show certainty or strong agreement. It often conveys a sense of no doubt or contradiction. I absolutely agree with your point. He is absolutely sure that he left the keys on the table.

Examples of usage

I wholly support your decision.
The project was wholly successful.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'hal' meaning 'whole', leading to its association with completeness.
It has roots in the Germanic languages and relates to the concept of being entire without breaks.
The adverb form is derived by adding '-ly' to the adjective 'whole', which appeared in English around the 12th century.

Literature

Wholly has been used in classic literature to emphasize totality, for example, in poetic works where complete feelings evoke deep emotions.
Famous authors like Shakespeare have used variations of the word to convey strong emotions, as seen in expressions of love or loyalty.
In modern literature, 'wholly' often expresses complete character traits or themes, enriching narrative depth.

Cultural Usage

The word is frequently used in religious texts to indicate total devotion or commitment, such as 'wholly devoted to a cause.'
In philosophy, 'wholly' conveys the concept of wholeness, supporting discussions around the self and existence.
In everyday language, it often appears in discussions about decisions, suggesting one must be wholly committed to a chosen path.

Psychology

The feeling of being wholly invested in a task or idea can enhance motivation and overall satisfaction.
In psychological terms, feeling 'wholly' content might indicate strong fulfillment and a sense of purpose in life.
Studies suggest that wholly engaging in activities can lead to flow states, where individuals lose themselves in the moment.

Translations

Translations of the word "wholly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 totalmente

🇮🇳 पूरी तरह से

🇩🇪 ganz

🇮🇩 sepenuhnya

🇺🇦 цілком

🇵🇱 całkowicie

🇯🇵 完全に (kanzen ni)

🇫🇷 totalement

🇪🇸 totalmente

🇹🇷 tamamen

🇰🇷 완전히 (wanjeonhi)

🇸🇦 تماماً (tamaman)

🇨🇿 zcela

🇸🇰 úplne

🇨🇳 完全地 (wánquán de)

🇸🇮 popolnoma

🇮🇸 algerlega

🇰🇿 толықтай

🇬🇪 სრულად (sru lad)

🇦🇿 tamamilə

🇲🇽 totalmente

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,421, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2418 premises
2419 gained
2420 adding
2421 wholly
2422 wise
2423 eggs
2424 thickness
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