Wholly Definition, Meaning and Synonyms
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on March 18, 2024
Discover the correct use of 'Wholy,' often mistakenly spelled as 'Wholly,' and learn to distinguish between these frequently confused English words. Our guide offers insights and tips for accurate spelling and usage.
Wholly Definitions
"Wholly" signifies complete inclusion or involvement.
Her attention was wholly devoted to her studies.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 01, 2024
"Wholly" indicates total or full extent.
The team was wholly unprepared for the challenge.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 01, 2024
"Wholly" expresses absolute or complete condition.
The building was wholly destroyed by the fire.
Maverick
Feb 01, 2024
"Wholly" suggests full agreement or concurrence.
They were wholly in favor of the new proposal.
Muneeza Rehman
Feb 01, 2024
"Wholly" conveys an undivided or unshared state.
The victory was wholly his, without any help.
Muazma Batool
Feb 01, 2024
"Wholly" denotes comprehensive or all-encompassing nature.
The book was wholly relevant to the current political situation.
Smith
Feb 01, 2024
"Wholly" implies complete absorption or engagement.
She was wholly immersed in her painting.
Darian
Feb 01, 2024
Completely; entirely
"The old American purposes are still wholly relevant" (John F. Kennedy).
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 31, 2024
Wholly Idioms
Wholly committed
Being fully dedicated or devoted to a cause, activity, or person.
She was wholly committed to her research, often working late into the night to gather data.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Wholly absorbed in
Being completely engrossed or deeply involved in something.
He was so wholly absorbed in writing his novel that he often forgot to eat.
Xavier
Mar 18, 2024
Not wholly convinced
Not being completely sure or persuaded about something.
Even after the presentation, the investors were not wholly convinced about the viability of the project.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Wholly independent
Being entirely free from outside control or not influenced by others.
After years of working for others, she finally started her own wholly independent consultancy firm.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Wholly unexpected
Something that is completely surprising or not anticipated.
The sudden change in the company's leadership was wholly unexpected by the employees.
Xavier
Mar 18, 2024
Wholly owned subsidiary
A company whose entire stock is held by another company.
The tech giant expanded its operations by acquiring a small start-up as its wholly owned subsidiary.
Muazma Batool
Mar 18, 2024
Wholly different ballgame
Refers to a situation that is completely different from what one is used to or expecting.
Moving from a small town to a big city is a wholly different ballgame, especially when it comes to the pace of life.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Wholly inappropriate
Completely unsuitable or improper in a particular situation.
Wearing a casual outfit to a formal interview is wholly inappropriate.
Smith
Mar 18, 2024
Wholly responsible
Being entirely accountable for something, especially an action or decision.
The manager was held wholly responsible for the financial loss the department incurred.
Smith
Mar 18, 2024
Wholly synonymous
Being completely identical in meaning or almost exactly the same.
In this context, 'fear' and 'terror' are not wholly synonymous; 'terror' implies a more intense level of fear.
Eleanor
Mar 18, 2024
Wholly Meaning in a Sentence
The documentary wholly captured the essence of the era.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
They were wholly responsible for the success of the event.
Eleanor
Mar 18, 2024
The country's economy is wholly dependent on agriculture.
Camila
Mar 18, 2024
She was wholly committed to her career.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
The project was wholly supported by the community.
Eleanor
Mar 18, 2024
The decision was wholly unexpected by everyone.
Xavier
Mar 18, 2024
He found the story wholly unbelievable.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
She was wholly uninterested in the discussion.
Bronson
Mar 18, 2024
They remained wholly silent during the meeting.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
They were wholly engrossed in the game.
Bronson
Mar 18, 2024
The book is wholly dedicated to environmental issues.
Muazma Batool
Mar 18, 2024
His focus was wholly on the task at hand.
Bronson
Mar 18, 2024
She was wholly absorbed in her music.
Darian
Mar 18, 2024
The recipe is wholly vegan.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
The approach was wholly different from what we anticipated.
Xavier
Mar 18, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
How does 'wholly' differ from 'holy'?
Though similar in pronunciation, 'wholly' means entirely or completely, while 'holy' refers to something sacred or divine.
Muazma Batool
Mar 18, 2024
What is the origin of the word 'wholly'?
Wholly originates from Old English 'halig', meaning 'whole' or 'entire', and has been used in English since the 12th century to signify completeness or entirety.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Is 'wholly' an adverb?
Yes, 'wholly' is an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express complete extent or degree.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Can 'wholly' be used in formal writing?
Yes, 'wholly' is appropriate for formal writing and often used to emphasize totality or completeness in academic or professional contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Can 'wholly' modify nouns directly?
No, 'wholly' is an adverb, so it typically modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, not nouns directly.
Eleanor
Mar 18, 2024
Is 'wholly' synonymous with 'completely'?
Yes, 'wholly' is synonymous with 'completely', both conveying the sense of total or full extent.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Does 'wholly' have a negative connotation?
'Wholly' is neutral and does not inherently have a negative or positive connotation; its interpretation depends on the context.
Kalel
Mar 18, 2024
Is 'wholly' commonly used in everyday language?
'Wholly' is not as common in casual conversation but is frequently used in written and formal contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
How do you use 'wholly' in a sentence?
Use 'wholly' to emphasize totality or completeness, e.g., "He was wholly convinced by the argument."
Xavier
Mar 18, 2024
Can 'wholly' be replaced with 'entirely' in a sentence?
Yes, 'wholly' can often be replaced with 'entirely' without changing the meaning of a sentence.
Smith
Mar 18, 2024
What part of speech is 'wholly' classified as?
'Wholly' is classified as an adverb in English grammar.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Can 'wholly' be used in comparative or superlative forms?
No, 'wholly' is an absolute adverb and does not have comparative or superlative forms.
Maverick
Mar 18, 2024
Is there an antonym for 'wholly'?
Yes, words like 'partially', 'partly', or 'incompletely' can serve as antonyms for 'wholly'.
Eleanor
Mar 18, 2024
Is 'wholly' used differently in British and American English?
'Wholly' is used similarly in both British and American English, with no significant difference in meaning or usage.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 18, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Definitions Wiki, Muneeza's commitment to clarity and precision extends beyond the realm of definitions. She believes that a thorough understanding of words empowers individuals to communicate effectively and appreciate the beauty of language in all its forms.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a copywriter, Muazma weaves words into a tapestry of compelling stories that capture hearts and minds. With a keen eye for detail and a mastery of language, she crafts messages that move people to action and create lasting impact.
