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.
The holly, blackthorn, hazel and other native species provide corridors for wildlife as well as absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 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
These could include English oak, beech, silver birch and holly trees, which they say could be vulnerable to warmer temperatures and longer dry spells.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2024
A grapevine, manzanita or eucalyptus wreath makes a year-round framework for temporal additions like holly sprigs in December, followed by forsythia or pussy willows in March.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2023
They planted it with trees—hazel, alder, birch, and dogwood—as well as privet hedges and holly bushes.
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
Trail parking lots there sit next to a boulder-strewn meadow where marmot mothers nurse their young in burrows, making nearby cars irresistible targets, said park spokeswoman Holly Streit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
“Everyone has their mom’s meatloaf or grandma’s roast chicken,” company chef Holly Faivre said, “but how can we make this fit all of the boxes for GLP-1s?”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Chicano rock group Las Cafeteras, at the 2024 Winter Dance Party — an Iowa music festival dedicated to Valens, Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, who played their final show there in 1959.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 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
Stitched in the center was the well from the town’s square; above it, Holly had embroidered the words Hope Springs Eternal and below, A treasure worth more than gold.
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
Yet there are less imposing hollies to choose from that make fine additions to the garden while supplying festive fodder.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 10, 2022
In fall, masses of winter pansies, ornamental kale and berried shrubs replace tender plantings in the massive window box and containers, while the trim boxwood hedges and clipped hollies carry the show throughout winter.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 27, 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
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.
