entire

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'entire' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is complete or whole. For example, "The entire report was written in less than two hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Austerity, poverty and exclusion risk robbing an entire generation of healthy, productive lives across a continent that undervalues the benefits of universal healthcare.

The Guardian

In the cycling sense, "nervous" refers to a vicious spiral in which the entire peloton is aware that the safest place to be is in the front 20 or so – this is a basic racing principle taught at junior level – with the upshot that every team leader with a purpose wants to be in the first 20 riders with as many of their team-mates as can manage it.

The Guardian - Sport

The extended scope of the bill may follow some of the recommendations of the intelligence and security committee (ISC), which suggested in March that the entire existing surveillance legal framework should be replaced by a single new act of parliament.

The Guardian

In response, it cleaned up its act, and thereby lifted the bar for the entire industry.

The New York Times

If you want to accomplish that, you have to change the entire way these companies do business.

The Economist

He is now, at least rhetorically, attacking the entire concept of progressive taxation.

The Economist

Several past and present England internationals – an entire slip cordon – followed suit.

The Guardian - Sport

He has used the many attacks on him – not least from the European commission – to justify what critics correctly see as a comprehensive attempt to undermine checks and balances, and remake the entire country in the image of one political party.

The Guardian - Opinion

She explained that the sortie began with military precision around 9pm on Monday, that all of those who attacked their homes were wearing surgical gloves, masks and combat uniforms, that they arrived with wheelie bins stuffed with bricks, bottles and other missiles, and that the entire attack appeared to be well organised.

The Guardian

When the Wall Street Journal tallied up 700 economic predictions made by 14 members of the Federal Reserve between 2009 and 2012, Yellen was ahead of the entire field.

The Guardian - Opinion

Weddings on the island are seven-day affairs where the entire village is fed many times, so paying for one's own at 25 years of age is an achievement.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entire" to emphasize that something is complete and includes all its parts, leaving nothing out. This adds a sense of thoroughness and comprehensiveness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "entire" when a simpler word like "whole" or "complete" would suffice. Overusing "entire" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "entire" functions to modify a noun, indicating that the noun is whole, complete, or includes all of its parts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show it describing a range of nouns, such as "entire generation", "entire industry", and "entire country".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "entire" is a versatile and frequently used term to emphasize the completeness or totality of something. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as formal writing, demonstrating its adaptability across various registers. While highly useful, it's best to avoid overusing "entire" in casual contexts where simpler words like "whole" or "complete" might be more appropriate. Considering alternatives like "total", "complete", or "full" can also enhance the precision and flow of your writing. In summary, "entire" is a reliable word choice when you want to stress that nothing is left out, but it should be used judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid unnecessary formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whole

A more basic synonym, emphasizing completeness without necessarily implying complexity.

complete

Focuses on the absence of missing parts; interchangeable in many contexts.

total

Highlights the sum or aggregate of all parts; often used with quantifiable nouns.

full

Emphasizes capacity or content being maximized; less versatile than "entire".

integral

Stresses the importance of each part to the whole; implies necessity.

intact

Implies something remains undamaged or unbroken; focuses on preservation.

overall

Refers to a general or comprehensive view, rather than strict completeness.

aggregate

Denotes a collection of units or parts, stressing the sum rather than the individual components.

universal

Focuses on the inclusivity and generalized application of something.

exhaustive

Indicates thoroughness and detail, emphasizing that nothing has been left out.

FAQs

How to use "entire" in a sentence?

You can use "entire" to describe something that is complete or whole. For example, "I read the "entire book" in one sitting" or "The "entire team" worked on the project".

What can I say instead of "entire"?

You can use alternatives like "whole", "complete", or "total" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "entire" or "hole"?

"Entire" refers to something complete, while "hole" refers to an opening. For example, "I ate the "entire pie"" is correct, while "There is a hole in the wall" uses "hole" correctly.

What's the difference between "entire" and "complete"?

While both "entire" and "complete" suggest fullness, "entire" emphasizes that nothing is left out, while "complete" focuses on the finished state. They are often interchangeable, but "entire" can add a stronger sense of comprehensiveness.