upon the whole

A form of on the whole — For the most part; apart from some insignificant details.

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Meanings

adverbupon the whole (not comparable)
  1. datednot comparableDated form of on the whole.

    With respect to my health, I may say that upon the whole it has been pretty good.

    a. 1776, Joseph Baretti, “Dialogue the Fortieth”, in Easy Phraseology for the Use of Those Persons Who Intend to Learn the Colloquial Part of the Italian Language, 1835 edition, Turin: Joseph Bocca, page 222
    2 more examples

    My son writes me word that Mr. Vesey's family are angry with me for inserting some lines in the Legion Club touching him. Upon my soul, I never inserted one line in it; and upon the whole, I care not whether they believe me or not.

    1736 June 3, Thomas Sheridan, letter to Jonathan Swift

    […] but, upon the whole, it is my opinion, that the sands will continue to increase, […]

    c. 1800, Joseph Huddart, Captain Huddart's Report, page 2
Cite this entry
APA

upon the whole. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/upon%20the%20whole

MLA

“upon the whole.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/upon%20the%20whole. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “upon the whole,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/upon%20the%20whole.

Source: upon the whole on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.