holy

[hoh-lee]

adjective

holier, holiest 

1. specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated.

   holy ground.

   Synonyms: blessed

2. dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion.

   a holy man.

3. saintly; godly; pious; devout.

   a holy life.

   Antonyms: impious, corrupt

4. having a spiritually pure quality.

   a holy love.

   Synonyms: spiritual
   Antonyms: impious, corrupt

5. entitled to worship or veneration as or as if sacred.

   a holy relic.

6. religious.

   holy rites.

7. inspiring fear, awe, or grave distress.

   The director, when angry, is a holy terror.

8. (used in certain interjections to express surprise, bewilderment, or wonder, as in holy cow andholy smoke. )

noun

plural

holies 

1. a place of worship; sacred place; sanctuary.

holy

/ ˈhəʊlɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or associated with God or a deity; sacred

2. endowed or invested with extreme purity or sublimity

3. devout, godly, or virtuous

4. offensively sanctimonious or self-righteous

   a holier-than-thou attitude

5. 1. a difficult or frightening person

   2. informal,  a person who is an active gambler, womanizer, etc

noun

1. 1. a sacred place

   2. (functioning as plural) persons or things invested with holiness

Word History and Origins

Origin of holy¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English holi, Old English hālig, variant of hāleg, equivalent to hāl whole + -eg -y ¹; cognate with Dutch, German heilig, Old Norse heilagr

Word History and Origins

Origin of holy¹

Old English hālig, hǣlig; related to Old Saxon hēlag, Gothic hailags, German heilig; see _hallow

Synonym Study

Holy, sacred, consecrated, hallowed imply possession of a sanctity that is the object of religious veneration. Holy refers to the divine, that which has its sanctity directly from God or is connected with Him: Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Something that is sacred, while sometimes accepted as entitled to religious veneration, may have its sanctity from human authority: a sacred oath. Something that is consecrated is specially or formally dedicated to some religious use: a life consecrated to service. Something that is hallowed has been made holy by being worshiped: a hallowed shrine.

Example Sentences

Several readers said they remained strong by viewing caregiving as a rare and holy opportunity as they helped their loved one transition from life to death.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Worshippers had gathered there for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Read more on Barron's

McAleese carries holy water and offers to pray with any one who seeks prayer.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The holy grail is a viral sensation online, and millions of dollars in sales.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Prosecutors on Thursday told the court that Wassim Al M. had "internalised IS ideology, rejected the Western way of life, and was convinced that a holy war against infidels must be waged worldwide".

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• divine 
• hallowed 
• humble 
• pure 
• revered 
• righteous 
• spiritual 
• sublime