Completely vs. Entirely

Attribute	Completely	Entirely
Definition	Wholly, fully, in every way	Wholly, fully, in every way
Usage	Commonly used in everyday language	Less commonly used, more formal
Intensity	Can be used to emphasize the extent of something	Can also be used to emphasize the completeness of something
Similarity	Often used interchangeably with "totally" or "absolutely"	Similar in meaning to "completely" but with a slightly different connotation

Definition

Completely and entirely are both adverbs that are used to emphasize the degree to which something is done or the extent to which something is true. They are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but there are subtle differences in their meanings.

Usage

Completely is used to indicate that something is done to the fullest extent or that something is whole or entire. For example, "I completely finished my homework" means that all of the homework was done. On the other hand, entirely is used to emphasize that something is complete in every part or aspect. For example, "I entirely agree with your assessment" means that the agreement is total and without reservation.

Intensifiers

Both completely and entirely can be used as intensifiers to add emphasis to a statement. They can be used to convey a sense of thoroughness or completeness. For example, "I completely forgot about our meeting" emphasizes the forgetfulness, while "I entirely understand your point of view" emphasizes the understanding.

Similarities

Despite their subtle differences, completely and entirely are often used interchangeably in everyday speech. Both words are used to convey a sense of completeness or wholeness. They can both be used to emphasize the extent to which something is done or true.

Differences

One key difference between completely and entirely is their connotations. Completely tends to imply a sense of finality or totality, while entirely tends to imply a sense of completeness in every part or aspect. For example, "I completely forgot about the meeting" suggests that the forgetfulness was total, while "I entirely forgot about the meeting" suggests that every part of the forgetfulness was complete.

Examples

• "I completely finished my work before the deadline."
• "She entirely redecorated her house from top to bottom."
• "The project was completely successful."
• "He entirely agreed with the decision."

Conclusion

While completely and entirely are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in their meanings and connotations. Completely tends to imply a sense of finality or totality, while entirely tends to imply a sense of completeness in every part or aspect. Both words can be used as intensifiers to add emphasis to a statement, and both are used to convey a sense of completeness or wholeness. Understanding the nuances of these two words can help you communicate more effectively and precisely in your writing and speech.