entirely

Alternative forms

• entierly (chiefly archaic)
• intirely (archaic or nonstandard)

Etymology

From Middle English entyerly, entierly, enterely, entyreliche, equivalent to entire +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈtaɪəli/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈtaɪɹli/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: en‧tire‧ly

Adverb

entirely (not comparable)

1. To the full or entire extent.

   It is entirely up to you where we go, as I’ll be happy with anywhere.

   The cake hadn’t entirely been eaten, so some was saved for later.

   • 1723, John Smith, The Curiosities of Common Water: Or The Advantages thereof in Preventing and Curing Many Distempers. […], 5th edition, London: […] John and Barham Clark, […], →OCLC, pages 9–10:

     [O]bſerving [...] abundance of Matter floating in the Urine like Bran, with a great Number of Recrements like Cuttings of Hair, ſome above an Inch long, which Subſtances were found in all the Water that I made in above Twelve Months; for which I could get no Remedy: I was adviſed to drink Water, which in about half a Year did intirely free me from thoſe Symptoms, [...]

   • 2012 May 15, Scott Tobias, “Film: Reviews: The Dictator”, in The Onion AV Club:

     Unlike Ali G Indahouse, Baron Cohen’s failed attempt to bring his most famous character into an entirely fictional universe, Borat found the comic tension in placing his Kazakhstani buffoon in delicate social situations, like a rodeo where he supports the “War Of Terror” a bit too zealously.

   • 2013 July-August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke”, in American Scientist:

     As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels. The reason plaque forms isn’t entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time.

2. To the exclusion of others; solely;

   I'm entirely to blame.

   This part of the park is used entirely by the workers; everyone else will have to go to the other side.

Anagrams

• entierly, lientery