Wholesome — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈhōl-səm/ whole·some

Meaning & Definition of Wholesome

Wholesome (adjective)

  1. good for one's health or well-being
  2. promoting mental or moral health or well-being
  3. promoting health of body

Wholesome (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. enjoying health and vigor

    "a wholesome young woman in the prime of her life"

    similar: able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well, well-conditioned, whole, in fine fettle, in shape, in the pink
    related: hard, hardy, iron, lusty, rugged, stalwart, strong, sturdy, tough, ambulatory, nondisabled, uncrippled, active, agile, chipper, lively, sprightful, sprightly, spry, vigorous, vital, blooming, clean-cut, flourishing, flush, prospering, thriving, all right, good, right
    opposite: ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell
    near: decrepit, enfeebled, feeble, infirm, run-down, sickened, sickly, weak, weakened, weakly, worn-out, debilitated, differently abled, disabled, incapacitated, delicate, fragile, frail, emaciated, gaunt, haggard, malnourished, undernourished, afflicted, troubled, bad, poorly

  2. beneficial to the health of body or mind

    "trying to eat a more wholesome diet"

    similar: good, healthful, healthy, medicinal, restorative, salubrious, salutary, salutiferous, sanative, tonic
    related: alleviative, corrective, curative, recuperative, refreshing, rehabilitative, rejuvenating, rejuvenescent, remedial, advantageous, useful, antiseptic, aseptic, clean, hygienic, sanitary, nourishing, nutritional, nutritious, nonpoisonous, nontoxic
    opposite: insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome
    near: damaging, deleterious, harmful, injurious, pernicious, infectious, poisonous, sickening, toxic, insanitary, unhygienic, unsanitary

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Wholesome

The most common words with a similar meaning to Wholesome:

able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well, well-conditioned, whole, good, healthful, medicinal, restorative, salubrious, salutary, salutiferous, sanative, tonic, in fine fettle, in shape, in the pink

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Wholesome

Words with the opposite meaning of Wholesome:

ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell, insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unwholesome

Related Words for Wholesome

hard, hardy, iron, lusty, rugged, stalwart, strong, sturdy, tough, ambulatory, nondisabled, uncrippled, active, agile, chipper, lively, sprightful, sprightly, spry, vigorous, vital, blooming, clean-cut, flourishing, flush, prospering, thriving, all right, right, alleviative

Near Antonyms of Wholesome

decrepit, enfeebled, feeble, infirm, run-down, sickened, sickly, weak, weakened, weakly, worn-out, debilitated, differently abled, disabled, incapacitated, delicate, fragile, frail, emaciated, gaunt, haggard, malnourished, undernourished, afflicted, troubled, bad, poorly, damaging, deleterious, harmful

Word Forms of Wholesome

Derived words: wholesomely (adverb), wholesomeness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Wholesome

First known use: 12th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesome

What does "Wholesome" mean?

"Wholesome" means good for one's health or well-being. As an adjective, it is defined as: good for one's health or well-being. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Wholesome"?

Other words for "Wholesome" include able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust and sound. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Wholesome" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Wholesome"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Wholesome". Common alternatives include able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, hearty, robust, sound, well and well-conditioned.

What is the opposite of "Wholesome"?

Antonyms of "Wholesome" include ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound and unwell. Near antonyms include decrepit, enfeebled, feeble and infirm.

How do you use "Wholesome" in a sentence?

Examples of "Wholesome" in a sentence: "a wholesome young woman in the prime of her life"; "trying to eat a more wholesome diet".

Is "Wholesome" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Wholesome" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Wholesome"?

"Wholesome" is pronounced /ˈhōl-səm/ and divided into syllables as whole·some.

What is the origin of the word "Wholesome"?

First known use: 12th century.