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Solely vs Entirely - What's the difference?

solely | entirely | Related terms |

As adverbs the difference between solely and entirely

is that solely is alone; exclusively while entirely is to the full or entire extent.

solely

English

Adverb

(-)
  • Alone; exclusively.
  • The new chef was solely responsible for attending the grill.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012, date=November 20, author=Nina Bernstein, title=Storm Bared a Lack of Options for the Homeless in New York, work=New York Times citation
  • , passage=This week, officials closed all evacuation centers but two on Staten Island. Now they plan to rely solely on hotels, even as they brace for a new wave of people displaced from storm-damaged housing where they are facing winter without heat or hot water.}}

    entirely

    English

    Alternative forms

    * entierly (chiefly archaic) * intirely (archaic or nonstandard)

    Adverb

    (-)
  • To the full or entire extent.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012, date=May 15, author=Scott Tobias, work=The Onion AV Club
  • , title= Film: Reviews: The Dictator , passage=Unlike Ali G Indahouse, Baron Cohen’s failed attempt to bring his most famous character into an entirely fictional universe, Borat found the comic tension in placing his Kazakhstani buffoon in delicate social situations, like a rodeo where he supports the “War Of Terror” a bit too zealously.}}
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Stephen P. Lownie], [http://www.americanscientist.org/authors/detail/david-m-pelz David M. Pelz
  • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= Stents to Prevent Stroke , passage=As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels. The reason plaque forms isn’t entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time.}}
  • To the exclusion of others.
  • Synonyms

    * (to the full extent) completely * (to the exclusion of others)