wholesome
Americanadjective
-
conducive to moral or general well-being; salutary; beneficial.
wholesome recreation;
wholesome environment.
-
conducive to bodily health; healthful; salubrious.
wholesome food;
wholesome air;
wholesome exercise.
- Synonyms:
- nutritious, nourishing
-
suggestive of physical or moral health, especially in appearance.
-
healthy or sound.
adjective
-
conducive to health or physical wellbeing
-
conducive to moral wellbeing
-
characteristic or suggestive of health or wellbeing, esp in appearance
Synonym Usage
See healthy.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of wholesome
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English ho(o)lsom; equivalent to whole + -some 1; cognate with Old High German heilsam, Old Norse heilsamr
Explanation
Anything wholesome is good for you. Hopscotch is in most cases a wholesome game, since you can't get into much trouble while hopping up and down on the concrete. Wholesome foods are the ones that your body appreciates, the ones that help you stay healthy. Marshmallows and corn chips aren't what you'd call wholesome, but organically grown fruits and vegetables are. Wholesome can also apply to other things. If you project a wholesome image, other people see you as a decent, moral person, somebody who's trustworthy and not living a secret life of crime. The word wholesome comes from the Old English hal, meaning "healthy."
Vocabulary lists containing wholesome
The Omnivore's Dilemma
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The War That Saved My Life
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Chew On This
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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.
Simply Wholesome is one of our big heartbeat centers of love, joy, wellness and community.
From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2025
Wholesome Wave’s ongoing initiative is just one of many so-called food pharmacies.
From Salon • Dec. 9, 2024
Wholesome if not exactly riveting stuff, so why does it matter?
From BBC • Feb. 7, 2023
Wholesome is the mien of Candace Cameron Bure, a former stalwart of the Hallmark Channel lineup who jumped to GAF with Mr. Abbott.
From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2022
Some few Old men did listen a little to his Wholesome Advice, but all the Young fellows were quite incorrigible.
From Southern Literature From 1579-1895 A comprehensive review, with copious extracts and criticisms for the use of schools and the general reader by Manly, Louise
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.
