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
The group—wholly-owned by Swedish investment firm Mellby Gård—currently sells secondhand children’s clothing in 55 stores across four markets—comprising 16 percent and 13 percent, respectively, of the company’s internal (and conservative) reach of 340 stores across 30 markets.
—
Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
That the real Kelley was married during this period is never mentioned (Kelley, in many ways, is wholly unknowable to us).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
Packed with visual gags and a cast of gifted comedic actors, Maddie’s Secret straddles the line between comedy and melodrama, creating a wholly unique cinematic experience.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
And that's not even counting any of the wholly original new shows this fall that are smart, gripping and exciting.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wholly
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Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 Sep. 2025
That the real Kelley was married during this period is never mentioned (Kelley, in many ways, is wholly unknowable to us).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025
Packed with visual gags and a cast of gifted comedic actors, Maddie’s Secret straddles the line between comedy and melodrama, creating a wholly unique cinematic experience.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
And that's not even counting any of the wholly original new shows this fall that are smart, gripping and exciting.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Sep. 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 11 Sep. 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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