any of numerous trees or shrubs of the genus Ilex, as I. opaca American holly, the state tree of Delaware, or I. aquifolium English holly, having glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries.
the foliage and berries, used for decoration, especially during the Christmas season.
Buddy Charles Hardin Holley, 1936–59, U.S. rock and roll singer and guitarist.
a female or male given name.
any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex, such as the Eurasian I. aquifolium, having bright red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges
branches of any of these trees, used for Christmas decorations
another name for holm oak
What does holly mean? Holly is a plant (tree or shrub) known for its bright red berries and its glossy, prickly-edged evergreen leaves. There are many varieties of holly, all of which belong to the genus Ilex. Most people are familiar with the common varieties of decorative holly, including American holly (scientific name Ilex opaca) and English holly (Ilex aquifolium)In many places, holly is associated with wintertime and particularly with the Christmas season. (Some varieties of holly are known as winterberry.) During this season, holly branches are popularly used in decorations such as wreaths. Although holly plants are not especially known for their flowers (which are small and white), holly is one of the December birth flowers (a flower that’s associated with a particular month in the same way as a birthstone). American holly is the state tree of Delaware. Holly is also a given name, most traditionally a feminine one. Example: I just love the look of a real holly wreath on the door—it’s so festive!
before 1150; Middle English holi ( e ), holyn, Old English hole ( g ) n; cognate with Welsh celyn, Irish cuillean; akin to Dutch, German hulst, French houx (< Old High German hulis )
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Newcastle, Joshua Robb, 37, spent a week preparing a six-course Christmas meal for friends, the dinner table dressed with Christmas crackers and printed menus adorned with holly motifs.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2025
There is little diversity on the majority of the 146-acre land, with nearly all fields grazed by sheep, but there are some wetter areas and some hedgerows of blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, oak, gorse and holly.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2024
Rauls was planting roses and holly this week when he came across a cicada while digging.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 1, 2024
The halls are decked with boughs of holly.
From Salon ● Dec. 17, 2023
Everybody came out—hay farmers, clerks, merchants, fishermen, crabbers, carpenters, loggers, net weavers, truck farmers, junk dealers, real estate brigands, hack poets, ministers, lawyers, sailors, squatters, millwrights, cedar rats, teamsters, plumbers, mushroom foragers, and holly pruners.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
David Wilson and his wife, Holly Wilson, purchased the 1.02-acre oceanfront compound for around $16 million in 2001.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
However, during the February board meeting, Supervisor Holly Mitchell raised financial concerns about changing course.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Backpack's victory -- by a razor-thin margin of just 5,000 votes out of 200,000 cast for the final alone -- continues something of a family tradition: his mother Holly is a previous winner.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
When Holly Mendel, the creator of the show, put the cast together, she wanted to construct an ensemble that could play together based on who they were offstage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
Holly took the scraps and put them in a five-gallon bucket behind the counter.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
In 1839, Smith reported to the Linnean Society of London that he could grow new plants from the seeds of the hollies.
From Science Magazine ● May 17, 2023
The front yard is bordered by Mary Nell hollies and bamboo.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 24, 2023
If you want berries, remember that hollies are dioecious, meaning they come in male and female, and only the female bears fruit.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 10, 2022
A: In fresh spring growth, hollies can attract aphids, which secrete a sugary substance named honeydew.
From Seattle Times ● May 31, 2021
Over the years, I’ve learned that botanists—those lucky souls who study the lives of plants all day—call some trees, such as hollies and willows, “dioecious,” which means they have separate male and female trees.
From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate
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