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

In a society so stratified by class, “opportunity” as the holy grail of social policy ultimately leaves outcomes to the untender mercies of the market.

Read more on Salon

Charles was introduced to the "heroes" by Rabbi Daniel Walker - a group of senior figures from the synagogue who helped stop the attack on the on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Read more on BBC

The market has long been seen as a holy grail for Blackstone and its competitors, but employers have been hesitant to introduce private assets to their retirement-plan lineups because of the risk of lawsuits.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It's known for its ashrams and meditation and yoga retreats and is considered a holy Hindu site that draws in large numbers of tourists and pilgrims.

Read more on BBC

Faulting language used by some liberals as “holier than thou,” Obama argued that Democrats could remain true to their principles while respecting those with whom they disagreed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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