wholehearted

American  

[hohl-hahr-tid] / ˈhoʊlˈhɑr tɪd /

adjective

1. fully or completely sincere, enthusiastic, energetic, etc.; hearty; earnest.

   a wholehearted attempt to comply.

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wholehearted British  

/ ˌhəʊlˈhɑːtɪd /

adjective

1. done, acted, given, etc, with total sincerity, enthusiasm, or commitment

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Other Word Forms

• wholeheartedly
  adverb
• wholeheartedness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of wholehearted

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; whole + hearted

Explanation

Something that's wholehearted is completely sincere and genuine, like your wholehearted support of a friend who's running for school president or her wholehearted commitment to running a positive campaign. The adjective wholehearted comes from the idea that you're putting your entire heart into something, with all the feeling and sincerity that implies. Your wholehearted apology for accidentally tripping someone is earnest and heartfelt, and your wholehearted attempt at winning the 50-yard dash is focused and determined. Anything that's done with that kind of commitment is wholehearted.

Example Sentences

“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

Who knows what might emerge from the "wholehearted" cooperation with investigations that the King has promised?

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

“Her visits to the nursery, her thoughtful conversations, and her wholehearted engagement brought laughter and insight into every interaction.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

They’re so wholehearted, so unashamed, so brazenly anti-cool that they’re irresistible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

Even so, for some time, I didn’t come up with wholehearted praise.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro