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holiday
[ hol-i-dey ]
/ ˈhɒl ɪˌdeɪ /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
adjective
of or relating to a festival; festive; joyous: a holiday mood.
suitable for a holiday: holiday attire.
verb (used without object)
Chiefly British. to vacation: to holiday at the seaside.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
OTHER WORDS FROM holiday
pre·hol·i·day, adjectiveWords nearby holiday
Hol Hamoed, Holi, holiatry, holibut, -holic, holiday, holiday camp, holidayer, holidaymaker, holiday season, holier-than-thou
Other definitions for holiday (2 of 2)
Holiday
[ hol-i-dey ]
/ ˈhɒl ɪˌdeɪ /
noun
Billie "Lady Day", 1915–59, U.S. jazz singer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use holiday in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for holiday (1 of 2)
holiday
/ (ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪ, -dɪ) /
noun
(often plural) mainly British
- a period in which a break is taken from work or studies for rest, travel, or recreationUS and Canadian word: vacation
- (as modifier)a holiday mood
a day on which work is suspended by law or custom, such as a religious festival, bank holiday, etcRelated adjective: ferial
verb
(intr) mainly British to spend a holiday
Word Origin for holiday
Old English hāligdæg, literally: holy day
British Dictionary definitions for holiday (2 of 2)
Holiday
/ (ˈhɒlɪˌdeɪ) /
noun
Billie. real name Eleanora Fagan; known as Lady Day. 1915–59, US jazz singer
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with holiday
holiday
see busman's holiday.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.