ENGLISH
REFERENCE

entire

adj. · n.
US //ɪnˈtaɪɝ// UK //ɛntˈaɪə// en·tire
  1. 1 whole or complete (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    including every part of something; whole.

    constituting the full amount, number, or extent of something without exception.

    Example

    I spent the entire day cleaning the house from top to bottom.

    Example

    The entire population of the village was evacuated before the floodwaters reached the main square.

  2. 2 smooth leaf edge (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    having a smooth edge without any teeth or notches.

    describing a leaf margin that is smooth and continuous, lacking serrations, lobes, or indentations.

    Example

    You can identify this tree by its long leaves with entire edges.

    Example

    The botanist noted that the specimen's entire margins distinguished it from the closely related species which typically features serrated leaves.

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 not castrated (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    used to describe a male animal, especially a horse, that has not been operated on to prevent it from breeding.

    referring to a male animal, particularly a stallion, that has not been gelded or castrated.

    Example

    The farmer decided to keep the young horse entire for breeding purposes.

    Example

    Managing an entire stallion requires significant expertise due to the animal's unpredictable temperament compared to a gelding.

  2. 4 the whole thing (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    the total amount or the whole of something.

    the totality or completeness of an entity; the entirety.

    Example

    He gave the entire of his fortune to the local hospital.

    Example

    The philosopher argued that one must consider the entire of human experience rather than focusing on isolated incidents.

Origin

From Middle English entere, enter, borrowed from Anglo-Norman entier, from Latin integrum, accusative of integer (“whole”), from Proto-Italic *əntagros (“untouched”). Doublet of entier and integer.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference