entirely
gb/ɪntˈaɪɚli/ us/ɪntˈaɪɚli/
B1
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
completely or fully
Fully or completely, without anything missing.
Usage pattern:
entirely [adjective/adverb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'entirely' with 'very'. 'Entirely' means 100%, not just 'a lot'. For example, 'I am entirely tired' is unnatural; use 'completely tired' instead.
Synonyms
completely (Most common and direct synonym in everyday English.)
|
totally (Slightly more informal and emphatic.)
Antonyms
partially (Indicates something is only partly true or done.)
|
incompletely (Focuses on the state of not being finished or whole.)
Collocations
entirely different
|entirely possible
|entirely new
|entirely true
|entirely wrong
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The story is entirely true.
- She was entirely focused on her work.
- This decision is entirely up to you.
- We have an entirely new approach to the problem.
- He’s not entirely sure about the plan.
Learner examples
- The box is entirely empty.
- I am entirely happy with my job.
- It is entirely my fault.
- This is entirely different from my idea.
Grammar
Dictionary form
entirely
IPA
GB/ɪntˈaɪɚli/
US/ɪntˈaɪɚli/
Syllables & stress
en - tirely (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tirely)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: entirely
- Plural: entirelies
Word family
Expressions
entirely up to [someone]
1/ɪntˈaɪɚli ˈʌp tə sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
decision is someone's alone
Used to say that only one person can decide something.
Examples
- It’s entirely up to you whether we go.
- The choice is entirely up to him.
not entirely sure
1/nˈɑt ɪntˈaɪɚli ʃˈʊɹ/
fixed phrase
uncertain or doubtful
Not completely certain about something.
Examples
- I’m not entirely sure what he meant.
- She’s not entirely sure if she can come tomorrow.