wholly engrossed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly engrossed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is completely absorbed or focused on something, often to the exclusion of everything else. Example: "She was wholly engrossed in her book, oblivious to the noise around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He is wholly engrossed.

Independent

I turn to my wife, but she hasn't even noticed – she's wholly engrossed in the film.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All three lieutenants were wholly engrossed in their work, excited by their power over the prisoner and challenged by the task of drawing information out of him.

The New Yorker

I cannot express how amazing it is to be here watching my friends and former teammates swim at this stage, to be so proud of them and wholly engrossed in their events.

The New York Times

Standing in the schoolyard, each mother seemed wholly engrossed in keeping her children near her and looking after her animals and possessions, and carefully avoided turning her eyes toward her captors.

The New Yorker

In 1817 he stated that his time was "wholly engrossed by law suits".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A subject has entirely engrossed them.

The New York Times

I was totally engrossed in it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Eyes wide, the usually excitable boys were completely engrossed.

Unicef

That tidbit alone has kept me engrossed all day.

The New York Times

But not all his friends are engrossed in campus life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly engrossed" to emphasize complete and undivided attention. This phrase is effective when you want to highlight that someone is not just interested, but entirely absorbed in something.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly engrossed" repeatedly in close proximity. While effective, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "completely absorbed" or "utterly fascinated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly engrossed" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of complete absorption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys being fully occupied or deeply involved. It emphasizes the extent to which someone is focused on something, often to the exclusion of other things.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly engrossed" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of complete absorption or intense focus, as verified by Ludwig AI. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, notably in news, media, and wiki sources. The phrase effectively emphasizes the depth of one's involvement, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary. Remember to use it judiciously and consider synonyms to avoid repetition in your writing. Alternatives like "completely absorbed" and "utterly fascinated" can offer similar emphasis with slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely absorbed

Replaces "wholly engrossed" with a synonym, emphasizing the completeness of absorption.

fully absorbed

Similar to "completely absorbed", but with a slightly less intense connotation.

totally captivated

Focuses on the captivating aspect, suggesting a charming or fascinating influence.

utterly fascinated

Highlights the element of fascination, implying a strong interest or delight.

absolutely riveted

Suggests being held in place by fascination or interest.

entirely consumed

Implies a state where something takes up all of one's attention or energy.

deeply immersed

Emphasizes the depth of involvement, suggesting a thorough engagement.

thoroughly engaged

Highlights active participation and involvement.

intensely focused

Shifts the focus to concentration rather than absorption.

gripped entirely

Suggests a strong hold on one's attention, often by something suspenseful.

FAQs

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

You can use "wholly engrossed" to describe someone's complete focus on something. For example, "She was "wholly engrossed" in her book, oblivious to the noise around her."

What's the difference between "wholly engrossed" and "completely absorbed"?

While both phrases indicate a high degree of attention, "wholly engrossed" emphasizes a state of being entirely occupied, whereas "completely absorbed" highlights the process of assimilation or integration. They are largely interchangeable, but the nuance depends on context.

Are there more formal alternatives to "wholly engrossed"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "entirely captivated" or "deeply immersed". These options maintain the sense of complete attention while sounding slightly more sophisticated.

What can I say instead of "wholly engrossed" to describe a less intense focus?

If you want to describe a less intense focus, alternatives like "somewhat interested" or "mildly engaged" may be more appropriate. These phrases suggest a lighter level of involvement than "wholly engrossed".