Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈtaɪər/

Definitions

• Complete; whole; not divided or broken into parts.
• Including everything; all of something.
• Not lacking any part or element; full.

Usage Examples

1. She ate the entire cake by herself.

2. The entire team worked together to finish the project.

3. The entire country celebrated the victory.

Etymology

From Latin "integralis," meaning "whole" or "complete," derived from "integer" meaning "whole" or "intact."

Synonyms

• Complete
• Whole
• Full
• Unbroken
• Total

Antonyms

• Partial
• Incomplete
• Fragmented
• Divided

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• English (US): /ɪnˈtaɪər/
• English (UK): /ɪnˈtaɪə/
• Spanish: /enˈteɾo/
• French: /ɑ̃tjɛʁ/
• German: /ɡants/

Historical Usage

The term "entire" has been used in English since the 14th century, derived from the Latin word "integralis," meaning whole or complete. Over time, its meaning expanded from strictly physical completeness to include abstract concepts like the entire world or entire nation. It has been used to emphasize totality or wholeness in various contexts, from describing objects to ideas and events.

Cultural Nuances

The word "entire" is often used to signify completeness in both everyday and formal speech. For example, it can refer to something that is physically undivided, such as "the entire cake," or something that encompasses everything in a certain context, such as "the entire experience." In some cultures, this term can also emphasize the significance or value of something in its totality, such as "giving one's entire effort" to a cause or belief.

More Information

The word "entire" is integral to expressions and idiomatic phrases such as "the entire picture," "the entire world," or "an entire lifetime." Its use across different languages underscores the universal idea of completeness and totality. In literature, philosophy, and even in everyday life, the concept of "entirety" is often used to express the idea of unity, wholeness, and inclusion.