Solely vs. Wholly — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 1, 2024
Solely focuses on exclusivity, meaning "only, exclusively," while wholly refers to completeness or entirety, meaning "entirely, completely."
Difference Between Solely and Wholly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Solely is used to emphasize that something is done by one person or thing alone, with no others involved, indicating exclusivity or singularity in actions, responsibility, or ownership. For instance, a decision made solely by an individual means no one else participated in making that decision. On the other hand, wholly refers to something being complete or entire, suggesting that all parts or aspects are included. When something is described as being wholly understood, it implies full comprehension without any parts left unclear.
The term solely often highlights a distinction or limitation, focusing on a single element or factor excluding all others. For example, if a project succeeds solely because of hard work, it suggests that no other factors, like luck or external help, played a role. Conversely, wholly encompasses the total scope or entirety of something, without exclusion. This can apply to situations, where a plan is wholly executed, indicating that it was carried out in full, according to every detail.
Solely can also imply a focus or concentration on one particular aspect or detail, suggesting an exclusionary approach. This is contrasted with wholly, which suggests an inclusive approach, considering all aspects or components as a whole. For example, focusing solely on one aspect of a problem may overlook other important elements, whereas understanding a concept wholly ensures a comprehensive grasp.
In practical usage, the choice between solely and wholly can affect the tone and emphasis of a statement. Using solely can point to a specific, exclusive cause or agent, while using wholly can emphasize completeness or total involvement. Despite their differences, both terms are useful in clarifying the extent, focus, or exclusivity of an action, attribute, or situation.
Despite these nuances, in many contexts, solely and wholly can both serve to emphasize the singularity or completeness of an event, action, or characteristic, albeit from different perspectives. Solely underlines the exclusiveness, while wholly stresses the all-encompassing nature.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Only, exclusively
Entirely, completely
Focus
Exclusivity, singularity
Completeness, entirety
Usage
Emphasizes a single cause or agent
Emphasizes total scope or involvement
Implication
Exclusion of other factors
Inclusion of all parts or aspects
Example Context
Decisions, responsibilities, actions
Understanding, execution, acceptance
Compare with Definitions
Solely
Without others involved; singly.
She is solely responsible for the project's completion.
Wholly
Encompassing the entirety of something.
The book is wholly devoted to the topic of sustainability.
Solely
Pertaining to one element or aspect.
The decision was made solely on the basis of cost.
Wholly
Completely; totally.
The statement was wholly accurate.
Solely
Exclusively; only.
The victory was solely due to the team's efforts.
Wholly
Without any reservation or exception.
She was wholly supported by her family.
Solely
With no additional factors.
The company's success is solely attributable to its innovative approach.
Wholly
To the full extent; entirely.
He was wholly committed to the project.
Solely
Focusing on a single purpose or target.
The fund was created solely for educational purposes.
Wholly
Involving all parts or aspects.
The team was wholly unprepared for the challenge.
Solely
Alone; singly
Solely responsible.
Wholly
Entirely; fully
The distinction is not wholly clear
She found herself given over wholly to sensation
Solely
Entirely; exclusively
Did it solely for love.
Wholly
Completely; entirely
"The old American purposes are still wholly relevant" (John F. Kennedy).
Solely
Alone; exclusively.
The new chef was solely responsible for attending the grill.
Wholly
Exclusively; solely.
Solely
Singly; alone; only; without another; as, to rest a cause solely one argument; to rely solelyn one's own strength.
Wholly
Completely and entirely; to the fullest extent.
Solely
Without any others being included or involved;
Was entirely to blame
A school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
He works for Mr. Smith exclusively
Did it solely for money
The burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
A privilege granted only to him
Wholly
Exclusively and solely.
A creature wholly given to brawls and wine.
Wholly
In a whole or complete manner; entirely; completely; perfectly.
Nor wholly overcome, nor wholly yield.
Wholly
To the exclusion of other things; totally; fully.
They employed themselves wholly in domestic life.
Wholly
To a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly');
He was wholly convinced
Entirely satisfied with the meal
It was completely different from what we expected
Was completely at fault
A totally new situation
The directions were all wrong
It was not altogether her fault
An altogether new approach
A whole new idea
Common Curiosities
Can solely and wholly be used interchangeably?
While they may appear similar in some contexts, their nuanced differences in meaning regarding exclusivity vs. completeness usually prevent them from being directly interchangeable.
Is solely negative in connotation?
Solely is not inherently negative; it simply highlights exclusivity or a singular aspect, which can be positive, neutral, or negative based on context.
Does wholly imply a better understanding or outcome?
Wholly suggests a thorough or complete approach, which can imply a more comprehensive understanding or more effective outcome, depending on the context.
How do solely and wholly complement each other in language?
Solely can specify the focus or limitation to a single factor, while wholly can broaden the scope to include all aspects, offering complementary perspectives for clarity and emphasis in communication.
Can a project be both solely and wholly completed by someone?
Yes, a project can be solely (exclusively) and wholly (completely) completed by someone, indicating that the person alone finished the entire project without any parts left incomplete.
Is solely more suitable for legal or formal documents?
Solely can be particularly useful in legal or formal contexts to clearly define exclusive rights, responsibilities, or causes, where specificity is crucial.
How does the use of solely or wholly affect the perception of responsibility?
Using solely can highlight individual responsibility or cause, while using wholly can emphasize the thoroughness or completeness of the responsibility or action taken.
In what context might wholly be preferred over solely?
Wholly is preferred when the intention is to emphasize that something is complete or total, especially when discussing the extent of agreement, understanding, or involvement.
How do solely and wholly influence narrative tone?
Solely can introduce a focused or specific tone, emphasizing particular details or exclusions, while wholly can create a comprehensive or inclusive tone, indicating completeness or full agreement.
What distinguishes solely from wholly in usage?
Solely emphasizes exclusivity or a singular cause, while wholly focuses on completeness or the total extent of something.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
