entirety
/in'taiəti/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The state of being whole, complete, and undivided: Refers to the condition of something existing as a total, unified entity without any parts missing or removed. 2. The whole or total amount of something: Refers to the sum of all parts, elements, or aspects considered together.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The museum purchased the collection in its entirety. (The museum bought the complete collection, all of it.)
- He read the contract in its entirety before signing. (He read the whole contract, every part of it.)
- We must consider the problem in its entirety to find a solution. (We must consider the whole problem, all its aspects.)
Advanced Usage
- "In its/their entirety": This is the most common phrase. It means "as a whole," "completely," or "without exception."
- The film was shown in its entirety at the festival. (The complete, uncut film was shown.)
- The proposals were rejected in their entirety. (All the proposals were completely rejected.)
Variants and Related Words
- Entire (adj): Whole, complete.
- The entire building was renovated.
- Entireness (n): A less common synonym for "entirety," meaning the quality of being entire.
Synonyms
- Totality: The whole of something.
- Whole: A thing that is complete in itself.
- Completeness: The state of having all necessary parts.
- Fullness: The state of being filled or complete.
Antonyms
- Part: A portion or division of a whole.
- Fraction: A small or tiny part, amount, or proportion of something.
- Segment: Each of the parts into which something is divided.
Notes on Meaning
The word entirety strongly emphasizes the concept of wholeness and indivisibility. It is often used in formal or legal contexts to stress that nothing has been omitted. The core idea is that all components are present and accounted for, forming one complete unit.
Noun
- the state of being total and complete
- he read the article in its entirety
- appalled by the totality of the destruction