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Synonyms

wholly

American  
[hoh-lee, hohl-lee] / ˈhoʊ li, ˈhoʊl li /

adverb

  1. entirely; totally; altogether; quite.

  2. to the whole amount, extent, etc.

  3. so as to comprise or involve all.

wholly British  
/ ˈhəʊllɪ /

adverb

  1. completely, totally, or entirely

  2. without exception; exclusively

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of wholly

First recorded in 1250–1300, wholly is from the Middle English word holliche. See whole, -ly

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.

Announcing the figures, Work and Pensions Minister Diana Johnson said the levels of poverty were "wholly unacceptable" and the government was taking "robust action to change the course".

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

But it’s also become clear that the two sides are fighting on wholly different terrains.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

That is marital property that should go wholly to your husband upon your death and to you upon his death.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

The theme and premise owe much to Margaret Atwood, but Groff’s gift for the long view is wholly her own.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

I edged closer, trying to draw her attention, but she was wholly absorbed in listening to her mother, who was explaining how cramp bark and motherwort should be administered to treat post-birth contractions.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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.