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

• all
• all of
• all over
• altogether
• clean
• completely
• dead
• enough
• entire
• entirely
• even
• exactly
• fast
• flat
• full
• fully
• heartily
• out
• perfectly
• plumb [chiefly dialect]
• quite
• soundly
• thoroughly
• through and through
• totally
• utterly
• well
• wide

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

And his attempts to view more recent US actions through an imperial lens – such as the war in Afghanistan after 9/11 – are not wholly convincing. —The Week Uk, theweek, 17 July 2024

Thomas’s opinion quickly led to a lower-court ruling that domestic abusers can possess guns, a wholly logical conclusion that proved politically untenable for the other MAGA justices. —Francis Wilkinson, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

High polling rates can also be found in other gaming keyboards, so that isn't a wholly innovative feature, either. —PCMAG, 15 July 2024

The purple was wholly intentional, Gayheart says, as a nod to one of Julie's specific looks in the film. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 13 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hoolly, from hool whole

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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