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 turns out that when a lot of people join the fray, that creates a feeling of controlled but wholesome chaos that resembles what Twitter felt like to some of its earlier addicts around, say, 2014 or 2015.

From Slate

During 18 years playing first base for the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, Garvey was known as “Mr. Clean” for his sweet-swinging home runs and his wholesome image.

From Los Angeles Times

Kamala Harris Why: Because I got a good night of sleep last night and ate a wholesome dinner and am not currently staring into a black hole of despair.

From Slate

Brat is also about being hedonistic and rebellious, something Charli says was inspired by her early days of performing at illegal raves, which is again in stark contrast to other popular aesthetics that focus on staying at home and living a wholesome life.

From BBC

For all its wholesome entertainment value, “Finding Mr. Christmas” is asking a question that looms large in 2024: What does it mean to be a man?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• healthful
• hygienic
• pure