If you refer to the whole of something, you mean all of it.
Early in the eleventh century the whole of England was conquered by the Vikings. [+ of]
I was cold throughout the whole of my body. [+ of]
...the whole of August. [+ of]
Whole is also an adjective.
He'd been observing her the whole trip.
We spent the whole summer in Italy that year.
2. countable noun [usually singular]
A whole is a single thing which contains several different parts.
An atom itself is a complete whole, with its electrons, protons and neutrons.
Taken as a percentage of the whole, the mouth has to be a fairly minor body part.
Synonyms: total, all, lot, everything More Synonyms of whole
3. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If something is whole, it is in one piece and is not broken or damaged.
Much of the temple was ruined, but the front was whole, as well as a large hall behindit.
I struck the glass with my fist with all my might; yet it remained whole.
Small bones should be avoided as the dog may swallow them whole and risk internalinjury.
Synonyms: undamaged, intact, unscathed, unbroken More Synonyms of whole
4. adverb [ADVERB adjective]
You use whole to emphasize what you are saying.
[informal, emphasis]
It was like seeing a whole different side of somebody.
His father had helped invent a whole new way of doing business.
Whole is also an adjective.
That saved me a whole bunch of money.
There's a whole group of friends he doesn't want you to meet.
5.
See as a whole
6.
See on the whole
More Synonyms of whole
whole in British English
(həʊl)
adjective
1.
containing all the component parts necessary to form a total; complete
a whole apple
2.
constituting the full quantity, extent, etc
3.
uninjured or undamaged
4.
healthy
5.
having no fractional or decimal part; integral
a whole number
6.
of, relating to, or designating a relationship established by descent from the same parents; full
whole brothers
7. out of whole cloth
adverb
8.
in an undivided or unbroken piece
to swallow a plum whole
noun
9.
all the parts, elements, etc, of a thing
10.
an assemblage of parts viewed together as a unit
11.
a thing complete in itself
12. as a whole
13. on the whole
Derived forms
wholeness (ˈwholeness)
noun
Word origin
Old English hāl, hǣl; related to Old Frisian hāl, hēl, Old High German heil, Gothic hails; compare hale1
whole in American English
(hoʊl)
adjective
1.
a.
in sound health; not diseased or injured
b. Archaic
healed
said of a wound
2.
not broken, damaged, defective, etc.; intact
a whole yolk
3.
containing all the elements or parts; entire; complete
a whole set, whole blood
4.
not divided up; in a single unit
a whole cheese
5.
constituting the entire amount, extent, number, etc.
the whole night
6.
having both parents in common
a whole brother
7.
in all aspects of one's being, including the physical, mental, social, etc.
the whole man
8. Arithmetic
integral and not mixed or fractional
28 is a whole number
adverb
9. Informal
completely; absolutely
a whole new ballgame
noun
10.
the entire amount, quantity, extent, or sum; totality
the whole of the estate
11.
a thing complete in itself, or a complete organization of integrated parts; a unity, entirety, or system
SIMILAR WORDS: comˈplete
Idioms:
as a whole
a whole lot (or bunch, etc.) of
made out of whole cloth
on the whole
Derived forms
wholeness (ˈwholeness)
noun
Word origin
ME (Midland) hool, for hol, hal < OE hal, healthy, whole, hale: akin to Ger heil, ON heill < IE base *kailo-, sound, uninjured, auspicious > Welsh coel, omen
More idioms containing
whole
go whole hog
made of whole cloth
the whole caboodle
the whole ball of wax
go the whole nine yards
the whole shooting match
Examples of 'whole' in a sentence
whole
The whole town can be an open forum for thousands of activities.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
For how long do we keep dismissing the whole body as unfit for purpose?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
IT'S a whole different story this season.
The Sun (2016)
Products and whole businesses can become obsolete as tomorrow leaves them behind.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We are trying to lead not just for this city but for the whole country.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It makes the whole car feel more alert and alive.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Her eyes were down the whole time.
The Sun (2016)
We have the whole year with great festivals and nice races to win.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We ended up spending the whole week together.
The Sun (2017)
When you're in a restaurant a whole table of people are all on their phones.
The Sun (2016)
Whole floors of people are being wiped out and a generation of bankers lost.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Within the space of a single lap the whole course had been turned to a quagmire.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It has been about the whole squad all year.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This app will give you stats for a whole bunch of scenarios.
The Sun (2014)
Then it will be whole different experience.
The Sun (2015)
Your son feels pushed aside and the whole situation probably makes him squirm.
The Sun (2007)
Whole milk is also lower in sugar.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Singing from the same hymn sheet makes the whole process a lot smoother.
The Sun (2012)
Working with a cosmetic dentist opened my eyes to a whole new world.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Another good exercise is to allow the whole of your body to collapse.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The whole of the business in that country from beginning to end was scandalous and disgraceful.
Lesley Adkins EMPIRES OF THE PLAIN: Henry Rawlinson and the Lost Languages of Babylon (2003)
The result is a more coherent whole than their previous efforts.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Your information will only be used for the alternative to prize in whole or in part.
The Sun (2015)
You can be in an accident and your whole world can change.
The Sun (2012)
There were wakes weeks holidays at that time and the whole town would shut down.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We do it around the whole country.
Christianity Today (2000)
Throw the two together and the whole reputation can change.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He was being very circumspect about the whole thing.
Oliver Poole BLACK KNIGHTS: On the Bloody Road to Baghdad (2003)
Why should he get away with it the whole time?
The Sun (2014)
They eat a variety of fish which they swallow whole.
Burton, John A. Animals of the World (1993)
We played our style and the whole side worked together.
The Sun (2015)
We should see them as whole people.
The Sun (2013)
The whole island has seen an average increase of 100%.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
whole
British English: whole /həʊl/ ADJECTIVE
You use whole before a noun to refer to all of that thing.
Have the whole cake.
American English: whole
Arabic: بِكَامِلِهِ
Brazilian Portuguese: inteiro
Chinese: 完整的
Croatian: čitav
Czech: celý
Danish: hele
Dutch: hele
European Spanish: entero
Finnish: kokonainen
French: entier
German: ganz
Greek: ολόκληρος
Italian: intero
Japanese: 全体の
Korean: 전체의
Norwegian: hel
Polish: cały
European Portuguese: inteiro
Romanian: întreg
Russian: целый
Latin American Spanish: entero
Swedish: hel
Thai: ทั้งหมด
Turkish: bütün tüm
Ukrainian: весь
Vietnamese: toàn bộ
British English: whole /həʊl/ NOUN
A whole is a single thing which contains several different parts.
American English: whole
Arabic: الكُلّ
Brazilian Portuguese: total
Chinese: 全部
Croatian: cjelina
Czech: celek
Danish: hele
Dutch: geheel
European Spanish: todo
Finnish: kokonaisuus
French: tout
German: Ganzes
Greek: σύνολο
Italian: tutto
Japanese: 全体
Korean: 전체
Norwegian: hele
Polish: całość
European Portuguese: total
Romanian: unitate
Russian: целое
Latin American Spanish: todo
Swedish: helhet
Thai: สิ่งที่ครบถ้วน
Turkish: bütün tamamı
Ukrainian: одне ціле
Vietnamese: tất cả
All related terms of 'whole'
whole hog
the whole or total extent (esp in the phrase go the whole hog )
heart-whole
not in love
whole blood
blood obtained from a donor for transfusion from which none of the elements has been removed
whole book
A book is a number of pieces of paper, usually with words printed on them, which are fastened together and fixed inside a cover of stronger paper or cardboard . Books contain information, stories , or poetry , for example .
whole gale
a wind of force ten on the Beaufort scale
whole milk
milk from which no constituent has been removed
whole note
A whole note is a musical note that has a time value equal to two half notes.
whole place
A place is any point, building, area, town, or country.
whole point
The point of what you are saying or discussing is the most important part that provides a reason or explanation for the rest .
whole tone
an interval of two semitones ; a frequency difference of 200 cents in the system of equal temperament
whole-wheat
(of flour , bread , etc) made from the entire wheat kernel
as a whole
If you refer to something as a whole , you are referring to it generally and as a single unit.
whole career
A career is the job or profession that someone does for a long period of their life.
whole episode
You can refer to an event or a short period of time as an episode if you want to suggest that it is important or unusual , or has some particular quality.
whole-hogger
a person who is whole-heartedly committed to something
whole-length
extended to or having its entire length; not shortened or abridged
whole number
A whole number is an exact number such as 1, 7, and 24, as opposed to a number with fractions or decimals .
whole process
A process is a series of actions which are carried out in order to achieve a particular result.
whole season
You can use season to refer to a fixed period during each year when a particular sport is played.
whole-souled
→ wholehearted
whole system
A system is a way of working, organizing , or doing something which follows a fixed plan or set of rules. You can use system to refer to an organization or institution that is organized in this way.
go whole hog
to do something to the fullest extent possible
on the whole
You use on the whole to indicate that what you are saying is true in general but may not be true in every case , or that you are giving a general opinion or summary of something.
whole situation
You use situation to refer generally to what is happening in a particular place at a particular time, or to refer to what is happening to you.
a (whole) lot
a great deal; very much
the whole idea
An idea is a plan , suggestion , or possible course of action.
the whole kit
everything or everybody
whole enterprise
An enterprise is something new, difficult , or important that you do or try to do.
whole generation
A generation is all the people in a group or country who are of a similar age, especially when they are considered as having the same experiences or attitudes .
whole population
The population of a country or area is all the people who live in it.
go the whole hog
If you go the whole hog , you do something bold or extravagant in the most complete way possible .
the whole boiling
the whole lot
the whole caboodle
all of something. The usual American expression is the whole ball of wax .
the whole shebang
The whole shebang is the whole situation or business that you are describing .
the whole shoot
everything
whole-tone scale
either of two scales produced by commencing on one of any two notes a chromatic semitone apart and proceeding upwards or downwards in whole tones for an octave . Such a scale, consisting of six degrees to the octave, is used by Debussy and subsequent composers
out of whole cloth
entirely without a factual basis
the (whole) ballgame
the main or decisive factor , event, etc.
the whole enchilada
all of it; everything; the entirety of something
whole-life insurance
a type of insurance with a savings element that is guaranteed to pay out on death provided premiums have been paid as required by the policy
(whole) new ballgame
a situation changed so drastically as to need new approaches or solutions
wholewheat
Wholewheat flour is made from the complete grain of the wheat plant, including the outer part. Wholewheat bread or pasta is made from wholewheat flour.
made of whole cloth
completely untrue and not based on fact
the whole nine yards
everything that is required; the whole thing
wholegrains
Wholegrains are the grains of cereals such as wheat and maize that have not been processed.
wholehearted
If you support or agree to something in a wholehearted way, you support or agree to it enthusiastically and completely.
Committee of the Whole
(in the US) all the members of the House of Representatives , regarded as a committee
go the whole nine yards
to do something to the fullest extent possible
made out of whole cloth
completely fictitious or false ; made up
the whole ball of wax
the whole of something. The usual British expression is the whole caboodle .
Chinese translation of 'whole'
whole
(həul)
adj
(= entire) (lit) 整个(個)的 (zhěnggè de)
⇒ We spent the whole summer in Italy.我们整个夏天都是在意大利过的。 (Wǒmen zhěnggè xiàtiān dōu shì zài Italy guò de.) (fig, emphatic), 完全的 (wánquán de)
⇒ a whole new way of doing business一个全新的商业运作方式 (yī gè quánxīn de shāngyè yùnzuò fāngshì)
(= unbroken) 完整的 (wánzhěng de)
⇒ He swallowed it whole.他把它完整地吞了下去。 (Tā bǎ tā wánzhěng de tūnle xiàqù.)
n
(c) (= entirety) 整体(體) (zhěngtǐ) (个(個), gè)
the whole of sth某物的全部 (mǒuwù de quánbù) (个(個), gè)
the whole (of the) time所有的时(時)间(間) (suǒyǒu de shíjiān)
the whole lot (of it)全部 (quánbù)
the whole lot (of them)全部 (quánbù)
as a whole整个(個)看来(來) (zhěnggè kàn lái)
on the whole大体(體)上 (dàtǐ shang)
All related terms of 'whole'
as a whole
整个(個)看来(來) zhěnggè kàn lái
on the whole
大体(體)上 dàtǐ shang
the whole of sth
某物的全部 mǒuwù de quánbù [ 个(個) gè ]
that's the whole point!
正是这(這)个(個)意思！ zhèng shì zhège yìsi!
to go the whole hog
( inf ) 彻(徹)底地干(幹) chèdǐ de gàn
a whole host of problems
许(許)多问(問)题(題) xǔduō wèntí
that's only part of or not the whole story
那不是事实(實)的全部 nà bùshì shìshí de quánbù
the whole lot (of it)
全部 quánbù
the whole lot (of them)
全部 quánbù
the whole (of the) time
所有的时(時)间(間) suǒyǒu de shíjiān
1 (noun)
Definition
all there is of a thing
Taken as a percentage of the whole, it has to be a fairly minor part.
Synonyms
total
The companies have a total of 1,776 employees.
all
lot
everything
aggregate
society viewed as an aggregate of individuals
sum total
the entire amount
2 (noun)
Definition
a collection of parts viewed together as a unit
The different components combine to form a complete whole.
Synonyms
unit
Agriculture was based in the past on the family as a unit.
body
piece
a piece of wood
Another piece of cake?
object
combination
unity
entity
ensemble
The state is an ensemble of political and social structures.
entirety
His own diary forms the entirety of the novel.
fullness
totality
We must take into consideration the totality of the evidence.
Opposites
part
,
bit
,
piece
,
division
,
element
,
component
,
portion
, fragment,
constituent
1 (adjective)
Definition
constituting or referring to all of something
I have now read the whole book.
Synonyms
complete
the complete works of Shakespeare
full
Full details will be sent to you.
total
The car was in a total mess.
I mean I'm not a total idiot.
entire
Treatment is more effective if the entire family is involved.
integral
This is meant to be an integral service.
uncut
undivided
Adults rarely give the television their undivided attention.
unabridged
the unabridged version of `War and Peace'
unexpurgated
uncondensed
Opposites
cut
,
divided
,
fragmented
,
partial
,
incomplete
,
in pieces
2 (adjective)
Definition
unbroken or undamaged
I struck the glass with all my might, but it remained whole.
Synonyms
undamaged
intact
After the explosion, most of the cargo was left intact.
unscathed
He emerged unscathed apart from a severely bruised finger.
unbroken
Against all odds her glasses remained unbroken after the explosion.
good
sound
His body was still sound.
perfect
The car is in perfect condition.
mint
untouched
Amongst the rubble, there was one building that remained untouched.
flawless
Stained glass craftsmen would always use flawless glass.
unhurt
The lorry driver escaped unhurt, but a pedestrian was injured.
faultless
unharmed
The car was a write-off, but everyone escaped unharmed.
in one piece
We were lucky to get out of there in one piece.
uninjured
inviolate
We believed our love was inviolate.
unimpaired
unmutilated
Opposites
broken
,
damaged
3 (adjective)
(archaic)
the woman who was made whole by touching the hem of Jesus's garment
Synonyms
healthy
She had a normal pregnancy and delivered a healthy child.
well
I hope you're well.
better
strong
It took me a long while to feel well and strong again.
sound
fit
It will take a very fit person to beat me.
recovered
healed
cured
robust
His robust physique counts for much in the modern game.
hale (old-fashioned)
looking hale and hearty
in good health
in fine fettle
able-bodied
All able-bodied men between eighteen and forty had been drafted.
Opposites
diseased
,
ill
,
sick
,
crook (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
,
ailing
,
sickly
,
unwell
,
under-the-weather
(adverb)
Definition
in an undivided or unbroken piece
Snakes swallow their prey whole.
Synonyms
in one piece
After the explosion, my house was still in one piece.
in one
phrase
See on the whole
Additional synonyms
in the sense of able-bodied
Definition
strong and healthy
All able-bodied men between eighteen and forty had been drafted.
Synonyms
strong,
firm,
sound,
fit,
powerful,
healthy,
strapping,
hardy,
robust,
vigorous,
sturdy,
hale (old-fashioned),
stout,
staunch,
hearty,
lusty,
right as rain (British, informal),
tough,
capable,
sturdy,
Herculean,
fighting fit,
sinewy,
fit as a fiddle
in the sense of aggregate
Definition
an amount or total formed from separate units
society viewed as an aggregate of individuals
Synonyms
total,
body,
whole,
amount,
collection,
cluster,
mass,
sum,
combination,
pile,
mixture,
bulk,
lump,
heap,
accumulation,
assemblage,
agglomeration
in the sense of ensemble
Definition
all the parts of something considered as a whole
The state is an ensemble of political and social structures.
Synonyms
collection,
set,
body,
whole,
total,
sum,
combination,
entity,
aggregate,
entirety,
totality,
assemblage,
conglomeration
Synonyms of 'whole'
whole
Explore 'whole' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of entire
Definition
made up of or involving all of something, including every detail, part, or aspect
Treatment is more effective if the entire family is involved.
Synonyms
whole,
full,
complete,
total
in the sense of entirety
Definition
all of a person or thing
His own diary forms the entirety of the novel.
Synonyms
whole,
total,
sum,
unity,
aggregate,
totality
in the sense of fit
Definition
in good health
It will take a very fit person to beat me.
Synonyms
healthy,
strong,
robust,
sturdy,
well,
trim,
strapping,
hale (old-fashioned),
in good shape,
in good condition,
in good health,
toned up,
as right as rain,
in good trim,
able-bodied
in the sense of flawless
Stained glass craftsmen would always use flawless glass.
Synonyms
intact,
whole,
sound,
unbroken,
undamaged
in the sense of full
Full details will be sent to you.
Synonyms
extensive,
detailed,
complete,
broad,
generous,
adequate,
ample,
abundant,
plentiful,
copious,
plenary,
plenteous
in the sense of hale
Definition
healthy and robust
looking hale and hearty
Synonyms
healthy,
well,
strong,
sound,
fit,
flourishing,
blooming,
robust,
vigorous,
hearty,
in the pink,
in fine fettle,
right as rain (British, informal),
able-bodied
in the sense of intact
Definition
not changed or damaged in any way
After the explosion, most of the cargo was left intact.
Synonyms
undamaged,
whole,
complete,
sound,
perfect,
entire,
virgin,
untouched,
unscathed,
unbroken,
flawless,
unhurt,
faultless,
unharmed,
uninjured,
unimpaired,
undefiled,
all in one piece,
together,
scatheless,
unviolated
in the sense of integral
Definition
whole or complete
This is meant to be an integral service.
Synonyms
whole,
full,
complete,
entire,
intact,
undivided
in the sense of inviolate
Definition
free from harm or injury
We believed our love was inviolate.
Synonyms
intact,
whole,
untouched,
entire,
pure,
virgin,
sacred,
stainless,
unbroken,
unhurt,
undisturbed,
unsullied,
unpolluted,
unstained,
undefiled
in the sense of perfect
The car is in perfect condition.
Synonyms
immaculate,
impeccable,
flawless,
spotless,
unblemished,
untarnished,
unmarred
Additional synonyms
in the sense of piece
Definition
a separate bit or part
a piece of woodAnother piece of cake?
Synonyms
bit,
section,
slice,
part,
share,
division,
block,
length,
quantity,
scrap,
segment,
portion,
fragment,
fraction,
chunk,
wedge,
shred,
slab,
mouthful,
morsel,
wodge (British, informal)
in the sense of robust
Definition
sturdily built
His robust physique counts for much in the modern game.
Synonyms
strong,
tough,
powerful,
athletic,
well,
sound,
fit,
healthy,
strapping,
hardy,
rude,
vigorous,
rugged (US, Canadian),
muscular,
swole (slang),
hench (informal),
sturdy,
hale (old-fashioned),
stout,
staunch,
hearty,
husky (informal),
in good health,
lusty,
alive and kicking,
fighting fit,
sinewy,
brawny,
in fine fettle,
thickset,
fit as a fiddle (informal),
able-bodied
in the sense of sound
Definition
free from damage, injury, or decay
His body was still sound.
Synonyms
fit,
healthy,
robust,
firm,
perfect,
intact,
vigorous,
hale (old-fashioned),
unhurt,
undamaged,
uninjured,
unimpaired,
hale and hearty
in the sense of strong
Definition
(of an economy, an industry, a currency, etc.) growing, successful, or increasing in value
It took me a long while to feel well and strong again.
Synonyms
fit,
sound,
healthy,
thriving,
blooming,
robust,
hale (old-fashioned),
in good shape,
in good condition,
lusty,
fighting fit,
in fine fettle,
hale and hearty,
fit as a fiddle
in the sense of totality
Definition
the whole amount
We must take into consideration the totality of the evidence.
Synonyms
aggregate,
whole,
entirety,
all,
total,
sum,
sum total
in the sense of unabridged
Definition
(of a book or text) complete and not shortened or condensed
the unabridged version of `War and Peace'
Synonyms
uncut,
complete,
full-length,
whole,
unexpurgated,
unshortened,
uncondensed
in the sense of unbroken
Definition
complete or whole
Against all odds her glasses remained unbroken after the explosion.
Synonyms
intact,
whole,
undamaged,
complete,
total,
entire,
solid,
untouched,
unscathed,
unspoiled,
unimpaired
in the sense of undivided
Definition
total and whole-hearted
Adults rarely give the television their undivided attention.
Synonyms
complete,
full,
whole,
total,
entire,
concentrated,
exclusive,
thorough,
wholehearted,
undistracted
in the sense of unharmed
Definition
not hurt or damaged in any way
The car was a write-off, but everyone escaped unharmed.
Synonyms
unhurt,
safe,
unscathed,
whole,
sound,
intact,
untouched,
in one piece (informal),
undamaged,
uninjured,
safe and sound,
without a scratch,
unscarred
in the sense of unhurt
Definition
not injured in an accident, attack, etc.
The lorry driver escaped unhurt, but a pedestrian was injured.
Synonyms
uninjured,
safe,
intact,
unscathed,
unharmed,
whole,
sound,
untouched,
in one piece (informal),
undamaged,
safe and sound,
without a scratch,
unscarred
Additional synonyms
in the sense of unscathed
Definition
not harmed or injured
He emerged unscathed apart from a severely bruised finger.
Synonyms
unharmed,
unhurt,
uninjured,
whole,
sound,
safe,
untouched,
unmarked,
in one piece,
unscarred,
unscratched
in the sense of untouched
Definition
not injured or harmed
Amongst the rubble, there was one building that remained untouched.