wholehearted

American  

[hohl-hahr-tid] / ˈhoʊlˈhɑr tɪd /

adjective

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

   a wholehearted attempt to comply.

---

wholehearted British  

/ ˌhəʊlˈhɑːtɪd /

adjective

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

---

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

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

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

They can use these monies to finance costly and protracted campaigns in many different businesses, hiring dedicated workers who will give their wholehearted attention to the difficult, time-consuming work of organizing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2025

There’s no side-eye, no resentment, no “Yankee go home” — just genuine, wholehearted gratitude.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2025

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

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro