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
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
Any designer or architect worth their salt will tell you that having an inspired client, wholly engaged in the conceptual and aesthetic underpinnings of a commission, is an enormous boon to the prospect of original creative expression.
—
Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2025
Only 62 were businesses wholly owned by foreign companies, while 112 were joint ventures with the Cuban government.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Odd bro-couple Orlando Bloom and Tom Brady, both batching it to the nuptials, both tossed together in the Gritti Palace — and whether either of them is truly single being wholly beside the point — enjoyed a bit of boulevardier-ing about as each other’s wingman.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
The series is wholly owned by Fox Entertainment and produced by Fox Entertainment Studios.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wholly
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Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2025
Only 62 were businesses wholly owned by foreign companies, while 112 were joint ventures with the Cuban government.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Odd bro-couple Orlando Bloom and Tom Brady, both batching it to the nuptials, both tossed together in the Gritti Palace — and whether either of them is truly single being wholly beside the point — enjoyed a bit of boulevardier-ing about as each other’s wingman.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
The series is wholly owned by Fox Entertainment and produced by Fox Entertainment Studios.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wholly
Cite this Entry
“Wholly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wholly. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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