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Whole Definition & Meaning

whole
adverb
  1. to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly'); "he was wholly convinced"; "entirely satisfied with the meal"; "it was completely different from what we expected"; "was completely at fault"; "a totally new situation"; "the directions were all wrong"; "it was not altogether her fault"; "an altogether new approach"; "a whole new idea"
adjective
  1. including all components without exception; 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 home"; "a whole loaf of bread"
  2. (of siblings) having the same parents; "whole brothers and sisters"
  3. not injured
  4. exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health; "hale and hearty"; "whole in mind and body"; "a whole person again"
  5. acting together as a single undiversified whole; "a solid voting bloc"
noun
  1. all of something including all its component elements or parts; "Europe considered as a whole"; "the whole of American literature"
  2. an assemblage of parts that is regarded as a single entity; "how big is that part compared to the whole?"; "the team is a unit"

"Whole" in song lyrics

See how whole is used in real songs:

  • "Because they don't like me; they just like us as a whole"
    2 Live Crew — Get Loose Now
  • "You could make it whole"
    3 Melancholy Gypsies — And If
  • "And through that union we become a new whole"
    3 Melancholy Gypsies — Beautiful Mind

Usage tips for "whole"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "whole" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for whole to find words that pair well.

Use "whole" in a verse

Now that you know what "whole" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does whole mean?
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly'); "he was wholly convinced"; "entirely satisfied with the meal"; "it was completely different from what we expected"; "was completely at fault"; "a totally new situation"; "the directions were all wrong"; "it was not altogether her fault"; "an altogether new approach"; "a whole new idea" including all components without exception
What part of speech is whole?
Whole is an adverb, an adjective, and a noun.
How many definitions does whole have?
Whole has 8 definitions across 3 parts of speech (adverb, adjective, noun).

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