What does entirety mean?
Entirety is a formal noun denoting the state of being whole or complete: the full extent of something with nothing omitted. Its dominant use by far is in the phrase 'in its entirety', as in 'she watched the film in its entirety' or 'the clause must be read in its entirety'. The word carries a neutral, precise tone that suits legal, academic, and journalistic contexts, where completeness matters and partial treatment would be misleading. It derives from the Latin integer, meaning untouched or intact — the same root behind entire, integral, and integrity — reflecting the idea of a thing kept undivided. Entirety has no plural in ordinary use, since it names an abstract condition rather than a countable object. Writers choose it over plainer alternatives like 'whole' when they want to emphasize totality with a degree of formality and exactness.
nounThe state of being whole or complete; the entire thing, with nothing left out or omitted.
- The state or quality of being complete; the whole extent or amount of something, with nothing excluded.
"She read the contract in its entirety before signing."
"The committee reviewed the report in its entirety before reaching a decision."
"The painting was destroyed, and no reproduction can capture the entirety of the original."
The plural exists technically but is extremely rare and largely restricted to legal contexts such as tenancy by the entirety; general usage treats entirety as uncountable.
"In property law, spouses may hold title as tenants by the entireties."
Entirety and integrity come from the very same Latin root — integer, meaning 'untouched' — so when you read something in its entirety, you're keeping it intact.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of entirety
Entirety entered English in the late sixteenth century, formed from the adjective entire plus the noun-forming suffix -ty, following the pattern of words like safety and certainty. Entire itself came into Middle English from Old French entier, which derived from Latin integer, meaning 'untouched, whole, intact' — literally 'not touched'. This Latin root also gave English the words integrity, integral, and integer, making them all close relatives. The word has retained a single core sense throughout its history: the quality or state of being complete and undivided.
How entirety is actually used
Entirety is somewhat formal in register and is used most often in writing and careful speech. It appears overwhelmingly in the fixed phrase 'in its entirety', which is far more common than any other construction with the word.
Easily confused with entirety
Entire is an adjective meaning whole or complete, while entirety is the noun form referring to the state or fact of being complete.
Integrity means the quality of being honest and morally upright (or of being structurally sound), whereas entirety simply refers to a thing as a complete whole.