Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for holiday on Thesaurus.com a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person. any day of exemption from work (distinguished from working day ). a time or period of exemption from any requirement, duty, assessment, etc.: New businesses may be granted a one-year tax holiday. a religious feast day; holy day , especially any of several usually commemorative holy days observed in Judaism. Sometimes holidays. Chiefly British a period of cessation from work or one of recreation; vacation. an unintentional gap left on a plated, coated, or painted surface. Show More
of or relating to a festival; festive; joyous: a holiday mood. suitable for a holiday: holiday attire. Show More
verb (used without object) Chiefly British to vacation: to holiday at the seaside. Show More
Origin of holiday before 950; Middle English; Old English hāligdæg. See
holy ,
day Related forms pre·hol·i·day , adjective Billie Lady Day 1915–59, U.S. jazz singer. Show More
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for holiday festivity ,
recess ,
festival ,
feast ,
anniversary ,
vacation ,
break ,
layoff ,
gala ,
celebration ,
leave ,
fete ,
fiesta ,
liberty ,
jubilee Examples from the Web for holiday Contemporary Examples of holiday Not long after the holiday presents are put away and the guests have gone home, another season begins.
While traveling this holiday season, a relative and I were pulled over by a police officer.
It was popularized as a holiday dessert in 16th-century England and also is known as Christmas pudding or plum pudding.
But asked if he would say “Merry Christmas” to someone who he knew did not celebrate the holiday , he paused for several seconds.
Judy, as depressing as she sounds in this song, just wants your holiday season to be happy.
Historical Examples of holiday They would have a holiday together, and then they would say good-bye.
The office had been closed, owing to a death, and Palmer was in possession of a holiday .
Won't your Professor give you a holiday from—is it microbes you study?
It makes a holiday in Colchis whenever such a thing happens.
It was holiday for the horses of the Sun, and away they went.
British Dictionary definitions for holiday (often plural) mainly British a period in which a break is taken from work or studies for rest, travel, or recreation US 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, etc Related adjective: ferial Show More
(intr) mainly British to spend a holiday Show More
Word Origin for holiday Old English hāligdæg, literally: holy day
Billie. real name Eleanora Fagan; known as Lady Day. 1915–59, US jazz singerShow More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for holiday n. 1500s, earlier haliday (c.1200), from Old English haligdæg "holy day; Sabbath," from halig "holy" (see holy ) + dæg "day" (see day ); in 14c. meaning both "religious festival" and "day of recreation," but pronunciation and sense diverged 16c. As a verb meaning "to pass the holidays" by 1869.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with holiday The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
