holistic
/həʊˈlɪs.tɪk/- 1.
Treating or thinking about something as a complete whole, not just its separate parts. It focuses on how all the parts work together and affect each other.
- The manager took a holistic approach to improving team performance.
- Holistic healthcare looks at your lifestyle, not just your symptoms.
- We need a holistic strategy that covers marketing, operations, and finance.
- 2.
In medicine and wellness, relating to the idea that the mind, body, and environment are all connected and must be treated together.
- She prefers holistic medicine over taking individual pills for each problem.
- The wellness centre offers holistic therapies including yoga and nutrition counselling.
Adinary Nuance
Holistic is often confused with comprehensive and integrated, but they are not the same. Comprehensive simply means "covering everything" — a comprehensive report lists all the details. Holistic goes further: it says the parts are interconnected and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Integrated means pieces are joined into one system, but holistic implies you must understand how those pieces influence each other. In business writing, "a holistic view" signals systems thinking, while "a comprehensive view" just signals thoroughness — so choosing the right word shapes how strategic you sound.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- toàn diện
- Spanish
- holístico
- Chinese
- 整体的
- Japanese
- ホリスティック
- Korean
- 홀리스틱
Etymology
From Greek "holos" meaning "whole," combined with the suffix "-istic." The philosopher Jan Smuts coined the term "holism" in his 1926 book "Holism and Evolution," and "holistic" grew from it into mainstream English during the mid-20th century.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'holistic' and 'comprehensive'?
- 'Comprehensive' means covering all parts thoroughly. 'Holistic' goes further — it says those parts are connected and influence each other. A comprehensive plan lists everything; a holistic plan considers how everything works together.
- Is 'holistic' a formal word? Can I use it in a business email?
- Yes, 'holistic' is common and natural in business, management, and healthcare writing. It sounds professional but not stiff. You will often hear it in strategy meetings, HR discussions, and presentations.
- Is 'wholistic' a correct spelling?
- 'Wholistic' is an older alternative spelling that some people use to emphasise the word 'whole.' However, 'holistic' is the standard and widely accepted spelling in both professional and academic writing. Stick with 'holistic.'
- How do I use 'holistic' in a business context?
- You can say 'a holistic approach to customer experience' or 'a holistic business strategy.' It signals that you are thinking about the big picture and how different parts of the business affect each other.