'Wholistic' vs 'Holistic': How Do You Spell It?     

Wondering whether to spell the word ‘wholistic’ or ‘holistic’? And what do the words actually mean? We can teach you the correct spelling, plus how to use the word in a sentence correctly.

Need a quick answer? Here it is:

• ‘Holistic’ is considered the correct way to spell the word.
• ‘Wholistic’ isn’t generally used professionally, but you might see it in less formal writing.

They both mean considering all the parts of something as a cohesive whole or concerned with wholes or with complete systems.

‘Holistic’ vs. ‘Wholistic’ – Do You Know the Whole Difference?

As we just discussed, there’s no real difference between the meanings of these two words. One is just more commonly preferred than the other.

The words are often used interchangeably, but ‘holistic’ is the most accepted version of the word. They're not exactly considered homophones since they mean the same thing.

‘Wholistic’ vs. ‘Holistic’ – Which is Correct? 

As far as which one is correct, they’re both considered correct technically. But from a professional or medical standpoint, ‘holistic’ is the spelling generally preferred and used in that industry.

Definition and Meaning of ‘Holistic’ and ‘Wholistic’ 

The Merriam-Webster definition of ‘holistic’ is: “of or relating to holism” and “relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts.”

The Merriam-Webster definition of ‘wholistic’ is: “holistic.”

As you can see, they mean the same thing. Now, let’s take a look at how to use them both in a sentence.

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Holistic’ and ‘Wholistic’ 

To pronounce the word correctly, here’s how you’d say it phonetically: HOH-LIS-IK.

The first syllable rhymes with words like:

• Go
• Slow
• Dough

The second syllable sounds like a list. Or the beginning of the word ‘listen.’

The final syllable sounds like the word ‘icky’ without the long ‘e’ sound of the ‘y.’

How to Use ‘Holistic’ and ‘Wholistic’ in a Sentence 

Take a look at some examples of how to use ‘holistic’ and ‘wholistic’ in a sentence.

• I started living a holistic lifestyle to improve my overall well-being.
• The school is taking a holistic approach to lunch for the students this year.
• My mom is a holistic wellness coach. She helps clients attain total wellness.
• There’s a holistic wellness clinic being built downtown. I can’t wait to check it out.
• I paid the bill from the holistic wellness doctor I’ve been seeing. It’s over $500!
• A holistic approach to medicine is the best and only approach for everyone, in my opinion.

Remember that these words can be used interchangeably because they mean the same thing. So, you can swap one out for the other whenever you want. Just remember that the most accepted spelling of the word in academia and the medical industry is the version spelled without the 'w' in the beginning.

Concluding Thoughts on ‘Wholistic’ and ‘Holistic’

Now that you know that both words mean the same thing and that they can be used interchangeably, you should have no problem creating your own sentences. Use the above examples as a guide to help you.

If you ever get stuck, you can always come back here if you need to. We’ve got a ton of content on confusing words and phrases that you might come across as you’re learning the language.