wholly

adverb

whol·​ly ˈhō(l)-lē 

1

: to the full or entire extent : completely

a wholly owned subsidiary

2

: to the exclusion of other things : solely

a book dealing wholly with herbs

Synonyms of wholly

• completely
• fully
• totally
• utterly
• quite
• perfectly
• entirely
• all
• thoroughly
• even
• fast

Examples of wholly in a Sentence

She is wholly devoted to her children.

An infant is wholly dependent on its mother.

The claim is wholly without merit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the singer/guitarist for Manchester’s legendary four-piece wasn’t wholly conversant with the game, the group enlisted the services of comedian Keith Allen. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026

Above all, though, Union’s attire was wholly summer inspired. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 June 2026

All this while presiding over the largest outbreak of measles in the US in more than two decades, which by June 2025 had killed three people in a wholly vaccine-preventable tragedy. —Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

The wave of investment led by Google will be a chance to stitch a new neighborhood together, one not wholly dependent on office workers, said Ariella Gibson, a spokesperson for the Chicago Loop Alliance. —Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hoolly, from hool whole

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wholly

• coaly
• coli
• foley
• folie
• goalie
• holy
• lowly
• moly
• slowly
• tolly
• acholi
• emboli

Kids Definition

wholly

adverb

whol·​ly ˈhōl-(l)ē 

1

: to the full or entire extent : completely

a wholly different view

2

: to the exclusion of other things : solely

a book devoted wholly to sports cars