wholly absorbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly absorbed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means fully engrossed or completely absorbed in something or someone. Example: She was wholly absorbed in her book, not even noticing when her friend walked into the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

He was wholly absorbed in commerce.

The New Yorker

At the front of the room, Jesus hasn't moved, wholly absorbed in His own pain.

The New Yorker

In reality, presidential advisers say, Mr. Bush is wholly absorbed by the race.

The New York Times

And I found myself wholly absorbed by Mr. Nathan's retelling of the Columbia Pictures debacle.

The New York Times

Iron is almost wholly absorbed in the duodenum by a process that involves metabolic activity requiring energy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

NASCAR fans stand apart as being far more passionate, more wholly absorbed in their sport, to the exclusion of others.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The central figure in these scenes is an author named Hannah Jarvis (the wholly absorbing Lia Williams), who is seeking refuge from the present in the past.

The New Yorker

This "ruminative, wholly absorbing" account unfolds with "quiet authority, lending unexpected dignity to the whole affair," our reviewer, Bruce Barcott, wrote in the Book Review last year.

The New York Times - Books

F The first album from F, the recording alias of the French electronic music producer Florent Aupetit, is the wholly absorbing "Energy Distortion" (7even), which includes material from three earlier EPs as well as bonus tracks.

The New York Times - Arts

I watched it entirely as an exercise in style, wholly absorbing in terms of dynamic, spatial, and physical contrasts: fast versus slow, one diagonal versus another, arms, feet, knees, hands, head, eyes, all playing with or against each other.

The New York Times - Arts

In the present-day scenes, scholars, including an author named Hannah Jarvis (the wholly absorbing Lia Williams), pore over the letters and theorems produced by their predecessors, in a bid, ultimately, to understand themselves.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly absorbed" to emphasize a complete and undivided focus on a particular subject or activity. This phrase is stronger than simply saying someone is 'interested' or 'busy'.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly absorbed" in situations where a simpler, less emphatic phrase would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural. Consider using "focused" or "engaged" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly absorbed" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of complete and undivided attention or immersion. This is validated by Ludwig AI, and is supported by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly absorbed" is an adjectival phrase that describes a state of complete focus or immersion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Encyclopedia, and Science contexts. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives, using "wholly absorbed" effectively emphasizes the intensity of engagement. Related phrases include "completely engrossed", "totally immersed", and "utterly consumed", each offering a slightly different nuance. When using "wholly absorbed", ensure it fits the context and avoid overuse in simple situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely engrossed

Emphasizes the captivating aspect of being absorbed.

totally immersed

Highlights the feeling of being surrounded or enveloped by something.

fully captivated

Focuses on the charming and attracting aspect that caused absorption.

utterly consumed

Suggests a powerful and sometimes overwhelming state of absorption.

entirely preoccupied

Emphasizes that one's mind is completely taken up by something.

deeply engaged

Highlights the active involvement and focus.

intensely focused

Emphasizes the concentration and sharpness of attention.

sinking into

Highlights a passive state of allowing the subject to take all attention

caught up in

Highlights a situation or subject of interest that cause absorption

lost in

Highlights a strong subject that take all attention

FAQs

How can I use "wholly absorbed" in a sentence?

You can use "wholly absorbed" to describe someone's complete focus or immersion in an activity. For example: "She was wholly absorbed in her painting."

What can I say instead of "wholly absorbed"?

You can use alternatives like "completely engrossed", "totally immersed", or "utterly consumed depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wholly absorbed" the same as "partially absorbed"?

No, "wholly absorbed" means completely engrossed, while "partially absorbed" means only somewhat engaged or involved.

What's the difference between "wholly absorbed" and "fully absorbed"?

Both "wholly absorbed" and "fully absorbed" convey a similar meaning of complete immersion. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference, although "wholly" might suggest a slightly more profound or intense state of absorption.