nounadjective

l’entier

entire · whole

C’est quelque chose qui n’est pas coupé ou divisé, il est complet.

Definition & meaning

The word entier primarily refers to something that is complete or whole. It has several specific applications in the French language:

Completeness: It describes an object or a concept that is not missing any of its parts. For example, a "gâteau entier" is a whole cake that has not been sliced yet.
Mathematics: It refers to an integer or a whole number. A "nombre entier" is a number without a fractional or decimal component (like 1, 2, or 10).
Character and Personality: When describing a person, it means they are uncompromising, sincere, and wholehearted. Such a person does not do things by halves and remains true to their principles regardless of the consequences.
Animals: In the context of livestock or horses, it refers to a male animal that has not been castrated. A "cheval entier" is a stallion.
Duration: It is used to emphasize the full extent of a period of time, such as "une journée entière" (a whole day).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammatically, entier is an adjective. It changes form based on the gender of the noun it modifies:

Masculine: entier
Feminine: entière

It can also be used as a masculine noun, particularly in mathematics when referring to "un entier" (an integer).

The word originates from the Latin integer, which literally means "untouched," "fresh," or "whole." This Latin root is composed of in- (not) and the root of tangere (to touch).