What does entirely mean?
Entirely is an adverb meaning completely, wholly, or in every respect. It intensifies statements by asserting that something holds without exception: a house may be built entirely of stone, a claim may be entirely false, or one may entirely agree with a proposal. A common and useful function is its appearance under negation, as in "not entirely convinced," where it acts as a measured hedge — acknowledging partial truth while withholding full commitment. The word derives from "entire," itself rooted in the Latin integer, meaning untouched or whole, the same source as "integrity." This heritage gives the word a subtle connotation of wholeness and unbroken completeness. Entirely suits both formal writing and everyday speech, making it one of the most versatile intensifying adverbs in English for expressing totality with precision and restraint.
adverbCompletely and wholly; to the fullest extent or degree, without exception or partiality.
- To the full extent or degree; completely (e.g., "I entirely agree").
- Exclusively; solely, with nothing else involved (e.g., "the decision was made entirely by her").
"The village was entirely cut off from the outside world by the snowstorm."
"The manuscript was written entirely by hand."
"You're not entirely wrong — but you're not entirely right either."
Entirely traces back to Latin integer — the same root that gives us "integrity" — so to say something is entirely true is literally to say it is "untouched," whole and unviolated.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of entirely
Entirely derives from "entire," which entered English via Old French entier, from the Latin integer meaning "whole, untouched," formed from the prefix in- ("not") and the root of tangere ("to touch") — literally "untouched." The adverbial form emerged in Middle English as entire + the -ly suffix, becoming well established by the early modern period. It shares this Latin ancestry with cognates such as integral, integrity, integrate, and intact.
Related word forms
How entirely is actually used
Entirely belongs to neutral-to-formal register and appears frequently in both spoken and written English. In negative constructions such as "not entirely," it functions as a polite hedge, softening disagreement or doubt without fully denying a claim. It pairs naturally with adjectives expressing possibility, agreement, or composition ("entirely new," "entirely wooden").
Easily confused with entirely
"Entire" is an adjective meaning whole or complete (as in "the entire cake"), while "entirely" is its adverb form modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.