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.
A decorated tree and sleigh greeted guests at the entrance to the country house which had holly, ivy, mistletoe and lanterns hung throughout.
From BBC ● Jan. 12, 2025
While Christmas trees were not widespread until the 16th century, churches and households sometimes hung branches of holly on their doors or apples on trees to commemorate Adam and Eve Day on Dec. 24.
From Salon ● Dec. 23, 2024
Butterfly Conservation said it was the worst year recorded for the common blue, holly blue, green-veined white, small white, small tortoiseshell, painted lady and Scotch argus.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2024
Yet the story behind “All I Want for Christmas is You” is not all holly and mistletoe.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 10, 2023
Squelch lifted one leg and out flubberdubbered a fart so loud the robin on the holly flew off in fright.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
“That amount of concentration is broadly viewed as too deep for most portfolios,” said Holly Framsted, head of product group at Capital Group, one of the largest active-fund managers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
Holly: Fulham's Robinson is an intriguing pick and seemingly good value at this price point.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Holly: Former Manchester United man Alejandro Garnacho may be well fancied after arriving at Villa on loan from Chelsea this summer, but Emi Buendia may be hard to displace in midfield.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Holly: Losing Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez in this transfer window leaves slim pickings in terms of a talisman at Fulham, with remaining striker Rodrigo Muniz among their most expensive assets.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
He dropped me off, and before I reached the door of the Fabric Barn, I could hear Holly yelling.
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
One of the oldest collections at the Arboretum, it has such a diversity of plantings that you’ll never again be able to think of hollies as simply shapeless green bushes with red berries.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 10, 2022
In fact, hollies come in every plant form except vining.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 10, 2022
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
