Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Completely, fully, to the whole extent: Used to emphasize that something is total, absolute, or without exception.
   • Solely, exclusively: Used to indicate that something involves only the thing mentioned, with no other elements included.

Usage and Examples

• Meaning: Completely, fully:

  • The project was entirely successful. (Every aspect of the project was successful.)
  • I am entirely satisfied with the service. (My satisfaction is complete; there is nothing I am dissatisfied with.)
  • The story was entirely fabricated. (The story was completely made up; no part of it was true.)

• Meaning: Solely, exclusively:

  • This scholarship is entirely for students from rural areas. (The scholarship is exclusively for that specific group.)
  • The blame rests entirely on his shoulders. (He is the only one to blame; no one else shares the responsibility.)
  • The room was entirely devoted to her art collection. (The room was used for that single purpose and nothing else.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Not entirely": A common phrase used to soften a statement, meaning "not completely" or "to some extent but not fully."

  • I do not entirely agree with your proposal. (I agree with some parts but not all of it.)
  • The task is not entirely finished. (Most of the task is done, but some small parts remain.)

• Emphatic Positioning: "Entirely" often precedes adjectives, past participles, or verbs to add strong emphasis.

  • That is an entirely different matter.
  • The system has been entirely redesigned.

Variants and Related Words

• Entire (adjective): Whole or complete.
  • She spent the entire day reading.
• Entirety (noun): The state of being entire or complete; the whole.
  • We must consider the problem in its entirety.

Synonyms

• Completely: In every way or as much as possible.
• Wholly: To the full or entire extent.
• Totally: In a total manner; fully.
• Absolutely: With no qualification, restriction, or limitation.
• Exclusively: Only; involving nothing else.
• Solely: Not involving anyone or anything else; only.

Antonyms

• Partially: Only in part; to a limited extent.
• Partly: To some extent; not completely.
• Incompletely: Not fully or thoroughly.

Common Collocations and Phrases

• Entirely possible/probable: Very possible or likely.
  • It is entirely possible that it will rain tomorrow.
• Entirely up to you: A phrase meaning the decision is completely yours.
  • Whether we go or not is entirely up to you.
• Depend entirely on: To rely completely on something or someone.
  • The success of the plan depends entirely on your cooperation.

Adverb

1. without any others being included or involved
   • was entirely to blame
   • a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
   • he works for Mr. Smith exclusively
   • did it solely for money
   • the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
   • a privilege granted only to him
2. to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly')
   • he was wholly convinced
   • entirely satisfied with the meal
   • it was completely different from what we expected
   • was completely at fault
   • a totally new situation
   • the directions were all wrong
   • it was not altogether her fault
   • an altogether new approach
   • a whole new idea