First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1entire
adjective en·tire \in-ˈtī(-ə)r, ˈen-ˌ\
: complete or full : not lacking or leaving out any part
Full Definition of ENTIRE
1
: having no element or part left out : whole <was alone the entire day>
2
: complete in degree : total <their entire devotion to their family>
3
a : consisting of one piece b : homogeneous, unmixed c : intact <strove to keep the collection entire>
4
: not castrated
5
: having the margin continuous or free from indentations <an entire leaf>
— entire adverb
— en·tire·ness noun
See entire defined for English-language learners
See entire defined for kids
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Origin of ENTIRE
Middle English enter, entier, entire, from Anglo-French enter, entier, from Latin integer, literally, untouched, from in- + tangere to touch — more at tangent
Related to ENTIRE
Synonym Discussion of ENTIRE
whole, entire, total, all mean including everything or everyone without exception. whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away <read the whole book>. entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added <the entire population was wiped out>. total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered <the total number of people present>. all may equal whole, entire, or total <all proceeds go to charity>.
perfect, whole, entire, intact mean not lacking or faulty in any particular. perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state <a perfect set of teeth>. whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained <felt like a whole person again after vacation>. entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing <the entire Beethoven corpus>. intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state <the boat survived the storm intact>.
perfect, whole, entire, intact mean not lacking or faulty in any particular. perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state <a perfect set of teeth>. whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained <felt like a whole person again after vacation>. entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing <the entire Beethoven corpus>. intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state <the boat survived the storm intact>.
Rhymes with ENTIRE
2entire
noun
ENTIRE Defined for Kids
entire
adjective en·tire \in-ˈtīr\
Definition of ENTIRE for Kids
: complete in all parts or respects <the entire day> <He had entire control of the project.>
— en·tire·ly adverb <It's entirely up to you.>
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