wholehearted
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of wholehearted
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Not in the wholehearted country-song sense, where crossing the county line might allow me to outrun myself.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
“I extend my wholehearted support to the cast, crew, and my replacement. I wish you all tremendous success during your run. I have complete confidence that each of you will be phenomenal.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
"I will give my wholehearted support to my successor. I want this Labour government to be a success," he said, when asked what advice he had for his successor.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
Alongside the curiosity and wholehearted appreciation, these fans see another benefit of focusing on the algae: It leads to the truth.
From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2026
Even so, for some time, I didn’t come up with wholehearted praise.
From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
