WHOLLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does wholly mean? 

• WHOLLY (adverb)
  The adverb WHOLLY has 1 sense:

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

  Familiarity information: WHOLLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WHOLLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Synonyms:

all; altogether; completely; entirely; right; totally; whole; wholly

Context example:

he fell right into the trap

Antonym:

partly (to some extent; in some degree; not wholly)

Pertainym:

whole (including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete)

 Context examples 

I wish I could say anything to comfort you, replied Elizabeth; but it is wholly out of my power.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The sneer was wholly in his voice.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Surely I should not be wholly disappointed to-night, when I had so many things to say to him!

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

“I think that I may go so far as to say, Watson, that I have not lived wholly in vain,” he remarked.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They gave themselves up wholly to their sorrow, seeking increase of wretchedness in every reflection that could afford it, and resolved against ever admitting consolation in future.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

“I could so wholly and absolutely confide in her,” said he; “and that is what I want.”

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

The movement was thus wholly toward the worse.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

When you and Jo were little, I went on just as you are, feeling as if I didn't do my duty unless I devoted myself wholly to you.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

His father and mother lived wholly upon meat.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Shoot wholly together! from the master-bowman.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)