wholly
Americanadverb
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entirely; totally; altogether; quite.
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to the whole amount, extent, etc.
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so as to comprise or involve all.
adverb
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completely, totally, or entirely
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without exception; exclusively
Etymology
Origin of wholly
First recorded in 1250–1300, wholly is from the Middle English word holliche. See whole, -ly
Explanation
Wholly is an adverb that means "entirely." If a story is wholly inaccurate, no part of it is true. Do you like to do things the whole way or whole hog, refusing any halfhearted attempts? Then wholly is your kind of word — it means completely, totally, or to the full extent. To give yourself over wholly to the music at a concert means that you are focused exclusively on the experience. If you're wholly committed to a goal, you're going to give it 100% of your time and energy.
Vocabulary lists containing wholly
ACT Vocabulary List
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100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
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Beowulf vocabulary
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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.
Wholly replacing those stockpiles could take up to six years, they said, though U.S. officials say there is no sign of a conflict with China on the horizon.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
Wholly devoid of adults and imbued with quasi-mythical elements, “Peanuts” always seemed one step away from pitching itself into being a total anomaly, as far as children’s films are concerned.
From Salon • Oct. 30, 2023
"Wholly inaccurate assertions and uninformed speculation will only serve to damage justice, infringe the rights of individuals and undermine the rule of law," he added.
From BBC • May 25, 2023
Where to Buy: Wholly Wholesome roll-out pie dough can be found at Whole Foods Markets, Wegmans and other stores; locations available on their website.
From Washington Post • Feb. 6, 2022
Wholly untaught, with faculties quite torpid, they seemed to me hopelessly dull; and, at first sight, all dull alike: but I soon found I was mistaken.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
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.
