Meaning of whole in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Adverb
    1. Definitions
  4. Noun
    1. Definitions
  5. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /hoʊl/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Classifying Adjective

    whole

    Definitions

    1. exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health

    Examples

    • « hale and hearty »
    • « whole in mind and body »
    • « a whole person again »

    Synonyms

  2. Adverb

    whole

    Definitions

    1. to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly')

    Examples

    • « he was wholly convinced »
    • « entirely satisfied with the meal »
    • « it was completely different from what we expected »
    • « was completely at fault »
    • « a total »

    Antonyms

  3. Noun

    whole

    Definitions

    1. all of something including all its component elements or parts

    Examples

    • « Europe considered as a whole »
    • « the whole of American literature »
  4. 2. an assemblage of parts that is regarded as a single entity

    Examples

    • « how big is that part compared to the whole? »
    • « the team is a unit »

    Derived terms

  5. Qualitative Adjective

    whole

    Etymology

    Old English hāl, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch heel and German heil, also to hail. The spelling with wh- (reflecting a dialect pronunciation with w-) first appeared in the 15th century

    Definitions

    1. including all components without exception

    Examples

    • « being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration »
    • « complete »
    • « gave his whole attention »
    • « a whole wardrobe for the tropics »
    • « the whole hog »
    • « a whole week »
    • « the baby cried the whole trip hom »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

  6. 2. (of siblings) having the same parents

    Examples

    • « whole brothers and sisters »

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « The whole romantic part of my life was a wipeout. I didn't even own a belt. »
    Paul Lynde
  • « And then, build a bustling wonderful city of the 21st century, with a restoration of a spectacular skyline, which Manhattan, of course, needs. So, that is really the design as a whole. »
    Daniel Libeskind
  • « Bader's philosophy was my philosophy. His whole attitude to life was mine. »
    Kenneth More
  • « In religion as in politics it so happens that we have less charity for those who believe half our creed, than for those who deny the whole of it. »
    Charles Caleb Colton
  • « I think the whole system of education would change if I were in charge and had the ability to make changes. I don't think I would keep Princeton exactly being Princeton. »
    Wallace Shawn

Browse dictionary