WordGarden.ioholistic
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /həlˈɪstɪk/
US
- /hoʊˈlɪstɪk/
Meanings
Adjective
considering something as a whole rather than as separate parts
treating health by considering the whole person and lifestyle
Beyond the definition
Imagine a doctor who doesn't just treat your cough with medicine, but also asks about your sleep, diet, stress levels, and even your relationships. That's a holistic approach. It means looking at the whole person, or the whole system, instead of focusing on just one part. The word comes from "holos," the Greek word for "whole."
This kind of thinking is common in wellness, such as holistic medicine, but it also applies to many other areas. You might take a holistic view of history by considering social, economic, and political factors together. Or you could solve a problem holistically by looking at how different parts of a system affect each other. It's about seeing the big picture.
The word "holistic" describes an approach that considers the whole of something: its connected parts and how they relate to one another, rather than focusing on individual parts in isolation. It emphasizes the importance of viewing systems as a whole and recognizing that each part can affect the others.
The idea is often linked to philosophy and is especially common in holistic medicine. In that context, it means treating the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and emotions, rather than only addressing specific symptoms. A holistic doctor might recommend changes to diet, exercise, stress management, and medication to treat an illness.
However, "holistic" isn't limited to health. You can apply a holistic perspective to many fields:
- Ecology: Understanding ecosystems as interconnected webs of life.
- Education: Focusing on the development of the whole child—intellectually, emotionally, and socially.
- Business: Considering how all departments within a company work together to achieve success.
- Problem-solving: Analyzing an issue by looking at its root causes and wider effects.
Essentially, taking a holistic approach means stepping back to see the bigger picture and understanding that everything is connected. Real solutions often require addressing the full system, not just isolated symptoms or problems. It's about recognizing complexity and working with that connected view.
Examples
- 1
Education
The school takes a holistic approach to education, with equal attention to academics, art, and emotional development.
- 2
Health care
Her doctor looked at her health in a holistic way, asking about stress, sleep, and diet instead of only treating the pain.
- 3
Business analysis
We need a holistic view of the problem, not just the sales numbers from this quarter.
- 4
Family support
The charity offers holistic support for families, including housing advice, counseling, and job training.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Climate policy
Good climate policy has to be holistic, because transport, energy, and food systems are all connected.
See also
Similar
- comprehensive
- integrated
- whole-system
Shades of meaning
- systemic
- integrative
- all-encompassing
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- holistic approach
- holistic view
- holistic health
- holistic care
Word family
- holistically
Explore
- systems thinking
- interdependence
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- holisticadjective