wholesome

American  

[hohl-suhm] / ˈhoʊl səm /

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.

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wholesome British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See healthy.

Other Word Forms

• wholesomely adverb
• wholesomeness noun

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

Example Sentences

Still, pivoting from wholesome Nickelodeon star to a grown R&B artist didn’t happen overnight.

From Los Angeles Times

Ashlyn adds: "I don't think it would be as entertaining if The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was actually just them bringing cookies to their neighbours and just living very wholesome family lives."

From BBC

The song was used more than 28 million times and often soundtracked wholesome videos of pets, family and relationships.

From BBC

"Instead Luke Sheppard's overall show is a wholesome homage. Just nice songs and a decent ensemble held together by some brilliant writing. What more could you want?"

From BBC

“What he’s doing is so wholesome,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• healthful
• hygienic
• pure