wholly familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly familiar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely known or recognized by someone. Example: "The concept of time travel is wholly familiar to science fiction enthusiasts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Boyle's film on the other hand centers on a figure with whom the world is wholly familiar.

The Guardian - Film

It's wholly familiar, the only thing that I go to bed with and wake up in that's exclusively mine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Scene after scene, Carell and co fire off terms, like "synthetic collateralized debt obligation", that only Wall Street types will be wholly familiar with.

The Guardian - Film

The key directors of the period were British intellectuals – Jack Clayton, Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson, John Schlesinger and Karel Reisz – whose chosen subjects were working-class dramas set in the provinces; not worlds with which they were wholly familiar.

Independent

But sometimes we're unwilling or unable to curb our lesser instincts — we want to parse or mediate an entity that is at once wholly familiar but wholly unknown to us; we want to touch the proverbial screen.

The New York Times

To a reanimated Winston Smith, there would be something wholly familiar in being told that he had to file an annual vision statement or that he should henceforth eliminate "problems" from his vocabulary in favor of "issues".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

For all its familiar grooves, "The Edge of Seventeen" offers just the right subversion to feel wholly original.

Huffington Post

Hearing it played by its dedicatee, the pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, was like meeting someone with whom you have only exchanged emails, familiar yet wholly unexpected.

The Guardian - Music

Although life at the compound was extremely limited and rapidly grew tedious, the wholly American atmosphere, the familiar food, the strong hot showers, and the movies blotted out — for a few hours, at least — the war, the camp, the tension, and the perpetual sense of danger.

The New Yorker

This approach introduces a definition of a structural state that is composed of both local and nonlocal information extracted from atomically resolved images, and is wholly untethered from the familiar concepts of symmetry and periodicity.

Advanced Structural and Chemical Imaging

Slightly familiar but wholly terrifying".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly familiar" to emphasize that something is completely and thoroughly known or recognized. It adds a degree of emphasis beyond simply saying "familiar".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "wholly familiar" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very familiar" or "well-known" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly familiar" functions as an adjectival modifier, emphasizing the completeness of the familiarity. It modifies a noun, indicating that something is entirely and thoroughly known. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

31%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wholly familiar" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an adjectival modifier, expressing complete and thorough recognition. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English, particularly in news, media, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best to reserve it for contexts needing emphasis, as simpler alternatives may suffice otherwise. When writing, ensure "wholly familiar" is appropriate for the tone. Its usage indicates something is not just somewhat known, but entirely so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely familiar

Emphasizes the completeness of familiarity, similar to "wholly familiar".

completely familiar

Highlights the exhaustive nature of the familiarity.

thoroughly familiar

Focuses on the depth of knowledge or acquaintance.

intimately acquainted

Suggests a close and personal familiarity.

well-acquainted

Indicates a good level of familiarity.

perfectly acquainted

Highlights the exact nature of the acquaintance.

well-versed

Implies a comprehensive understanding or knowledge.

thoroughly conversant

Implies expertise and knowledge with great command.

intimately known

Suggests an in-depth knowledge gained with close contact.

universally recognized

Indicates widespread or general familiarity.

FAQs

What does "wholly familiar" mean?

The phrase "wholly familiar" means completely or thoroughly known. It emphasizes that something is not just somewhat familiar, but entirely so.

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

You can use "wholly familiar" to describe concepts, places, or people that are completely known to someone. For example, "The rules of the game are "entirely familiar" to experienced players."

What are some alternatives to "wholly familiar"?

Alternatives to "wholly familiar" include "completely familiar", "entirely familiar", or "thoroughly familiar". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "wholly familiar" the same as "very familiar"?

While both phrases indicate a good level of recognition, "wholly familiar" suggests a more complete and exhaustive level of knowledge than "very familiar". "Very familiar" implies a high degree of acquaintance, but "wholly familiar" leaves no room for uncertainty or incomplete knowledge.