on the whole

whole  (hl)

adj.

1. Containing all components; complete: a whole wardrobe for the tropics.

2. Not divided or disjoined; in one unit: a whole loaf.

3. Constituting the full amount, extent, or duration: The baby cried the whole trip home.

4.

a. Not wounded, injured, or impaired; sound or unhurt: Many escaped the fire frightened but whole.

b. Having been restored; healed: After the treatment he felt whole.

5. Having the same parents: a whole sister.

n.

1. A number, group, set, or thing lacking no part or element; a complete thing.

2. An entity or system made up of interrelated parts: The value of the whole was greater than the sum of its parts.

adv. Informal

Entirely; wholly: a whole new idea.

Idioms:

as a whole

All parts or aspects considered; altogether: disliked the acting but enjoyed the play as a whole.

on the whole

1. Considering everything: on the whole, a happy marriage.

2. In most instances or cases; as a rule: can expect sunny weather, on the whole.

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[Middle English hole, unharmed, from Old English hl; see kailo- in Indo-European roots.]

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wholeness n.

Synonyms: whole, all, entire, gross, total
These adjectives mean including every constituent or individual: a whole town devastated by an earthquake; all the class going on a field trip; entire shipments lost by the distributor; gross income; the total cost.

Antonym: partial

Thesaurus

Adv.

1.

on the whole - with everything considered (and neglecting details); "altogether, I'm sorry it happened"; "all in all, it's not so bad" all in all, tout ensemble, altogether