on the whole
en
en
Change language
Translating...
/ɑn ðə hoʊl/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
Overall, when everything is considered.
Examples
On the whole, the students performed well despite the short preparation time.
When you look at the data, on the whole the results support our hypothesis.
He made a few mistakes, but on the whole his work was solid.
The new policy, on the whole, saves more money than it costs.
The restaurant's service was slow, yet on the whole the food was excellent.
Meanings
Examples
On the whole, the trip was enjoyable.
The new policy, on the whole, saves more money than it costs.
She thought the movie was boring, but on the whole it had good moments.
On the whole, the students performed well despite the short preparation time.
The restaurant's service was slow, yet on the whole the food was excellent.
When you look at the data, on the whole the results support our hypothesis.
He made a few mistakes, but on the whole his work was solid.
FAQ
What does on the whole mean?
on the whole means overall, when everything is considered.
How is on the whole used in a sentence?
It introduces a general assessment, for example: "The movie was long, but on the whole it was enjoyable."
When should I use on the whole instead of overall?
Use on the whole when you want a slightly more conversational tone than overall.
What is a synonym for on the whole?
Synonyms include all things considered, generally, in general, and overall.
Is on the whole formal or informal?
It is a neutral phrase, not especially formal or informal.
Does on the whole imply a positive or negative judgment?
It does not itself indicate positive or negative judgment; it simply signals a general view.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.