the whole time
noun
1
: since something began : during the entire period of time
The police knew the whole time who was guilty.
2
British
: at all times : always
You can't be right the whole time.
3
British, informal
: very often
My sisters and I used to fight the whole time.
Examples of the whole time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
My life has been taking me to this album the whole time.
—
Jack Irvin, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
But Josh Ruben sat in the back of the van [during our part of the scene] and made those noises the whole time.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
Tony Garnier was walking around trying to direct traffic the whole time.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2025
Had this really annoying humming going on the whole time.
—Outside Online, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the whole time 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jack Irvin, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
But Josh Ruben sat in the back of the van [during our part of the scene] and made those noises the whole time.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
Tony Garnier was walking around trying to direct traffic the whole time.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2025
Had this really annoying humming going on the whole time.
—Outside Online, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the whole time
Dictionary Entries Near the whole time
Cite this Entry
“The whole time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20whole%20time. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share