wholly

[hoh-lee, hohl-lee]

adverb

1. entirely; totally; altogether; quite.

2. to the whole amount, extent, etc.

3. so as to comprise or involve all.

wholly

/ ˈhəʊllɪ /

adverb

1. completely, totally, or entirely

2. without exception; exclusively

Word History and Origins

Origin of wholly¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, wholly is from the Middle English word holliche. See whole, -ly

Example Sentences

“The consequences have been dire, and wholly predictable.”

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"This was wholly unacceptable, and we immediately launched a major criminal investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice."

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Rodgers made good points, though, and the supporters, though turning on him slightly in the wake of recent performances, were wholly behind him in other areas.

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A mental health assessment carried out six days before the Southport knife attacks, which found the killer posed no risk to others, was "wholly inappropriate and wrong", a public inquiry has heard.

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Out of Gaza's 1,244 mosques, 1,160 were partly or wholly destroyed, according to Hamas's media office in the Palestinian territory.

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Related Words

• altogether 
• completely 
• entirely 
• fully 
• perfectly 
• quite 
• thoroughly 
• totally 
• utterly