Words / B2

HOHLL-ee/ˈhəʊlli/

Wholly means completely; in every way: not wholly to blame; wholly owned. Completely is the everyday twin; entirely is close. The centre is not wholly to blame if the portal was down. Mix-up: holy is sacred; whole is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Do not write wholly for “healthy”.

Meaning

Completely; in every way.

Examples

• “The centre is not wholly to blame if the board’s portal was down.”
• “A wholly owned subsidiary featured in the accounts question, which is the business sense.”

Good to know

wholly + adjective / participle; not wholly. Everyday: completely. Trap: holy / whole. Evaluations and business. Completely, not sacred.

Near in meaning

completely

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