whole

The word “whole” means complete, with no part missing or removed. In plain terms, complete and undivided — nothing missing.

“Whole” is pronounced hohl (/hoʊl/ in IPA).

Here is “whole” used in a sentence: “She ate the whole pizza by herself.”

Depending on how it is used, “whole” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “whole” comes from Old English. From Old English hāl, meaning "healthy, unhurt, complete" — the same root behind heal, health, and holy. The odd silent "w" was added in spelling centuries later, partly to keep "whole" visually distinct from "hole.".

“Whole” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Whole” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: complete, with no part missing or removed.

They sound the same but are unrelated. 'Whole' is usually an adjective meaning complete, with nothing missing: 'the whole cake.' 'Hole' is a noun meaning a gap or hollow opening: 'a hole in the wall.' A handy reminder — 'whole' contains the word 'who,' while a 'hole' is an empty space.

The two are close in meaning and often interchangeable. 'Whole' stresses that nothing has been divided or taken away — a single, unbroken unit, as in 'the whole pizza.' 'Complete' stresses that nothing is lacking, that every part is present, as in 'a complete set.' One is about being undivided; the other about being finished.

The opposite depends on the sense. When 'whole' means complete, its opposites are 'partial' or 'incomplete.' When it means a single undivided unit, the contrast is a 'part,' 'piece,' or 'fraction.' A whole is everything together; its opposites are the bits and pieces that make it up, or something with parts missing.