wholesome

[hohl-suhm]

adjective

1. conducive to moral or general well-being; salutary; beneficial.

   wholesome recreation;

   wholesome environment.

   Synonyms: good, helpful

2. conducive to bodily health; healthful; salubrious.

   wholesome food;

   wholesome air;

   wholesome exercise.

   Synonyms: nutritious, nourishing

3. suggestive of physical or moral health, especially in appearance.

4. healthy or sound.

wholesome

/ ˈhəʊlsəm /

adjective

1. conducive to health or physical wellbeing

2. conducive to moral wellbeing

3. characteristic or suggestive of health or wellbeing, esp in appearance

Other Word Forms

• wholesomely adverb
• wholesomeness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wholesome¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English ho(o)lsom; equivalent to whole + -some ¹; cognate with Old High German heilsam, Old Norse heilsamr

Word History and Origins

Origin of wholesome¹

C12: from _whole (healthy) + _-some ¹ ; related to German heilsam healing

Synonym Study

See healthy.

Example Sentences

Even in the most wholesome times in his life, as a little league baseball player and school theater kid, he would get a similar “butterfly in the stomach feeling” from the performance of it all.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Thankfully, I did not have to face this initiation. However, that family trait for preparing delicious, wholesome meals runs deep in my veins.”

Read more on Salon

And when did this wholesome yet wacky activity start?

Read more on Salon

Our critic said “Mr. Cappa’s twisted take on the domestic comedy is to make it so wholesome and loving that wholesome and loving become hilarious.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So sweet it might make you nervous, which is the point: Mr. Cappa’s twisted take on the domestic comedy is to make it so wholesome and loving that wholesome and loving become hilarious.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• healthful 
• hygienic 
• pure