WordValeholistic
concerned with wholes rather than parts
In more detail
1. (adjective) considering or treating something as a whole rather than as separate parts
2. (adjective) relating to the whole body or mind rather than just physical symptoms or problems
Examples
- 1. The school takes a holistic approach to education, focusing on students' academic, social, and emotional development.
- 2. Holistic medicine tries to treat the whole person, not just the disease.
How to use holistic
Holistic is used to emphasize treating or viewing something as an interconnected whole rather than isolated parts, commonly in healthcare, education, and philosophy. It carries a somewhat earnest, forward-thinking tone and is often used to contrast with reductionist or symptom-focused approaches. The term has become popular in wellness contexts, though it remains standard in academic and professional settings.
Common phrases
- holistic approach
- holistic medicine
- holistic view
- holistic treatment
- holistic health
- holistic perspective
Synonyms
comprehensive · integrated · whole-system · all-encompassing · systemic
Opposites
fragmented · compartmentalized · piecemeal
Word family
holistically (adverb) · holism (noun) · holist (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes overuse holistic in casual contexts where comprehensive or overall would be more natural, or confuse it with the homophone hole-istic rather than hol-istic.
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