entirely
ihn-TEYE-uh-lee
Entirely (adverb) means Completely; wholly, without exception. Example: “The cake was entirely gone by the time we got back.”
adverb
1
Completely; wholly, without exception.
"The cake was entirely gone by the time we got back."
"I entirely agree with your decision."
"The old factory has been entirely rebuilt."
How to use entirely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCompletely, in every way.
Common pairings
entirely different
entirely possible
not entirely sure
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Etymology
From "entire" plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for entirely
See all rhymes for entirely →Frequently asked questions
What does “entirely” mean?
The word “entirely” means completely; wholly, without exception. In plain terms, completely, in every way.
How do you pronounce “entirely”?
“Entirely” is pronounced ihn-TEYE-uh-lee (/ɪnˈtaɪɹli/ in IPA).
How do you use “entirely” in a sentence?
Here is “entirely” used in a sentence: “I entirely agree with your decision.”
What is another word for “entirely”?
Words with a similar meaning to “entirely” include wholly.
What part of speech is “entirely”?
“Entirely” is an adverb.
Is “entirely” a common word?
“Entirely” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between entirely and completely?
The two are very close and usually interchangeable — both mean wholly, with nothing left out. "Entirely" can feel a touch more formal and often stresses that something is true without exception, as in "entirely my fault." "Completely" is a little more everyday. In most sentences you can swap one for the other.
How do you use "entirely" in a sentence?
"Entirely" modifies an adjective, verb, or phrase to show something is total, as in "I entirely agree," "a room entirely made of glass," or "not entirely sure." It sits before the word it strengthens and signals that a statement holds fully, with no partial exception.
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