noun
Uncommon
entirety
ihn-TEYE-uh-rih-tee
Entirety (noun) means the whole of something; its complete and total amount. Example: “She read the contract in its entirety before signing.”
noun
1
The whole of something; its complete and total amount.
"This was a superb win, albeit a somewhat controversial one, a great drive in a thrilling race, in which Leclerc had to sustain the most intense pressure from one Mercedes driver or another for the entirety of the race distance."
— Andrew Benson, BBC Sport (2019)
"She read the contract in its entirety before signing."
"The committee reviewed the report in its entirety."
"The singer performed the whole album in its entirety, without a single break."
"Due to the early rainout, the game will be replayed in its entirety on Friday."
How to use entirety
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe whole thing, with nothing left out.
Common pairings
in its entirety
the entirety of
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Word forms
- Plural
- entireties
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She read the contract in its _____ before signing.
Etymology
This word passed into Middle English as enterete, from Old French entiereté, which came from Latin integritās, from integer ("complete, whole"). It is a doublet of integrity.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for entirety
See all rhymes for entirety →Frequently asked questions
What does “entirety” mean?
The word “entirety” means the whole of something; its complete and total amount. In plain terms, the whole thing, with nothing left out.
How do you pronounce “entirety”?
“Entirety” is pronounced ihn-TEYE-uh-rih-tee (/ɪnˈtaɪ.ə.ɹ(ɪ).ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “entirety” in a sentence?
Here is “entirety” used in a sentence: “She read the contract in its entirety before signing.”
What is the opposite of “entirety”?
The opposite of “entirety” — its antonyms — are partialness and partiality.
What part of speech is “entirety”?
“Entirety” is a noun.
Is “entirety” a common word?
“Entirety” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between entirety and whole?
Entirety and whole both refer to the complete amount of something, but entirety is more formal and is typically used in the fixed phrase "in its entirety," while whole is more common in everyday speech and can function as an adjective as well as a noun.
How is entirety typically used in a sentence?
Entirety is almost always used in the phrase "in its entirety" or "in their entirety," meaning completely or as a whole, as in "the report should be read in its entirety."
Is entirety a formal word?
Yes, entirety has a formal register and is more common in written or official contexts, such as legal, academic, or business writing, than in casual conversation.
