homily
a sermon, usually on a Biblical topic and usually of a nondoctrinal nature.
an admonitory or moralizing discourse.
an inspirational saying or cliché.
Compare Meanings
Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.
Origin of homily
1Words that may be confused with homily
- homely, homily
Words Nearby homily
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use homily in a sentence
His sermons, unfailingly lucid, penetrating and inspired, went beyond the homily of the day to encompass the news of the world.
Desmond Tutu, Anti-Apartheid Campaigner Who Tried to Heal the World, Dies at 90 | Aryn Baker | December 26, 2021 | TimeHe figured on letting the gospel, specifically Matthew 1:28, guide his homily.
11 Children Shot in Milwaukee, One in Her Grandpa's Lap | Michael Daly | November 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThen on March 23, Romero delivered a truly impassioned homily.
Why Pope Francis Wants to Declare Murdered Archbishop Romero a Saint | Christopher Dickey | August 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTPope Francis was uncharacteristically ceremonial, sticking largely to his scripted homily and dressed in the usual papal garb.
Onscene as Pope Francis Makes Saints of John Paul II and John XXIII | Barbie Latza Nadeau | April 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe question she was asked by the priest during his homily: “What would you like for Christmas?”
‘Resurrection’ Is TV’s Silliest Show and Probably Dead on Arrival | Kevin Fallon | March 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Since Wright had no plans to take part in the beachside homily and ticket booths were shuttered, she was out of luck.
He mounts his best ruffles and his finest tunic as he sits down to write his homily.
A Cursory History of Swearing | Julian SharmanSuch a homily, at such a time, must have made Mary feel like a person of a very ordinary sort indeed.
The Life and Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Volume I (of 2) | Florence A. Thomas MarshallThe story remains, the burden of the rude rhyme of the primer, a text for many a homily of old,—a topic for us now.
The Hearth-Stone | Samuel OsgoodWell, I did not expect, when you handed me out of my carriage to-day, that I was going to listen to a homily on prudence.
Endymion | Benjamin DisraeliSmithson Junior (as the homily ends and the real business is about to start): "Please, sir, is it sterilized?"
Mr. Punch's History of Modern England Vol. IV of IV. | Charles L. Graves
British Dictionary definitions for homily
/ (ˈhɒmɪlɪ) /
a sermon or discourse on a moral or religious topic
moralizing talk or writing
Origin of homily
1Derived forms of homily
- homilist, noun
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
Browse