ENGLISH
REFERENCE

entirely

adv.
US //ɪnˈtaɪɝɫi// UK //ɛntˈaɪəli// en·tire·ly
  1. 1 completely (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    completely or 100%; used to show that something is true in every way.

    to the full or entire extent; used as a maximizer to indicate total completion or absolute degree.

    Example

    I am not entirely sure if the shop is still open at this hour.

    Example

    The success of the project depends entirely on the team's ability to coordinate their efforts across different time zones.

    Usage

    Usually placed before an adjective or a verb to emphasize a total state.

  2. 2 solely (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    only or purely; used when there is nothing else involved.

    to the exclusion of others; used to indicate that a situation or cause is restricted to a single factor.

    Example

    The book is entirely about her life growing up in a small village.

    Example

    The committee's decision was based entirely on the financial reports, disregarding the social implications of the proposed cuts.

    Usage

    Often used in formal contexts to isolate a single cause or reason.

Origin

From Middle English entyerly, entierly, enterely, entyreliche, equivalent to entire + -ly.

Word family

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