What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wholely
Example
The team worked wholely on the project, ensuring that every aspect was covered. [wholely: adverb]
Example
The vase was wholely intact despite being dropped. [wholely: adjective]
wholly
Example
I am wholly committed to this project and will do my best to ensure its success. [wholly: adverb]
Example
The company is wholly owned by its employees. [wholly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wholly is more commonly used than wholely in everyday language. Wholly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wholely is less common and may be considered archaic or outdated in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wholely and wholly?
Both wholely and wholly are considered formal words and may not be used in casual conversation. However, wholly is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
