wholesome

English

Etymology

From earlier holesome, from Middle English holsom, holsum, helsum, halsum, from Old English *hālsum, *hǣlsum, from Proto-Germanic *hailasamaz, equivalent to whole +‎ -some. Cognate with Icelandic heilsamur. Compare Swedish hälsosam (“wholesome”).

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈhoʊlsəm/

Adjective

wholesome (comparative wholesomer, superlative wholesomest)

  1. Promoting good physical health and well-being.
  2. Promoting moral and mental well-being.
  3. Marked by wholeness; sound and healthy.
  4. Promoting virtue or being virtuous.

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Antonyms

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Translations

References

  • wholesome in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • wholesome in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
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