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

Derived Forms

• ˈwholesomely, adverb
• ˈwholesomeness, noun

Other Words From

• wholesome·ly adverb
• wholesome·ness 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

"It's an opportunity for them to make sure that they've eaten something quite wholesome," she said.

From BBC

He explains that the trend is popular now because "it's a great way to get people together to have a wholesome time".

From BBC

His unlikely rise, combined with a perfectionist approach and wholesome demeanor, prompted one teammate to call him “Captain America.”

From Los Angeles Times

For generations after slavery, white writers routinely disparaged the Black family, claiming it wasn’t as strong or as wholesome as their own.

From Salon

Instead, what Erin Foster found as she scrolled through the account of the cute guy from her gym was disarmingly wholesome.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• healthful
• hygienic
• pure