Entire vs Whole

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Entire	Whole
Meaning	Whole or complete.	All of something; complete.
CEFR level	B2	A2
Part of speech	adjective	adjective
Usage notes	Use 'entire' when referring to something completely or fully. It's suitable for most contexts, except very casual conversations where 'whole' might be more common.	Use 'whole' when referring to something in its entirety. It is appropriate in both written and spoken contexts, but may sound less formal in academic writing. Avoid using it with specific countable nouns; instead, use with uncountable or collective nouns.

Frequently asked questions: Entire vs Whole

What's the difference between "Entire" and "Whole"?

"Entire" means: Whole or complete. "Whole" means: All of something; complete.

When should I use "Entire" and "Whole"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Entire" and "Whole" the same CEFR level?

"Entire" is at B2, "Whole" is at A2 on the CEFR scale.