View synonyms for

holy

[ hoh-lee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

holier, holiest.

specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated:
holy ground.
Synonyms:
dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion:
a holy man.
saintly; godly; pious; devout:
a holy life.
Antonyms: ,
having a spiritually pure quality:
a holy love.
Synonyms:
Antonyms: ,
entitled to worship or veneration as or as if sacred:
a holy relic.
religious ( def 1 ):
holy rites.
inspiring fear, awe, or grave distress:
The director, when angry, is a holy terror.
(used in certain interjections to express surprise, bewilderment, or wonder, as in holy cow and holy smoke. )

noun

plural holies.

a place of worship; sacred place; sanctuary.

holy

/ ˈ��əʊ��ɪ /

adjective

of, relating to, or associated with God or a deity; sacred
endowed or invested with extreme purity or sublimity
devout, godly, or virtuous
holier-than-thou
offensively sanctimonious or self-righteous
a holier-than-thou attitude
holy terror
1. a difficult or frightening person
2. a person who is an active gambler, womanizer, etc

noun

1. a sacred place
2. functioning as plural persons or things invested with holiness

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Word History and Origins

Origin of holy¹

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of holy¹

Old English ��, hǣlig; related to Old Saxon ��ŧ��, Gothic hailags, German heilig; see hallow

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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.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

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The acting head of the Church of England, the Archbishop of York, described him as a "holy man of God" who was "also very human".

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It was hoped his unorthodox background would help rejuvenate the Vatican and reinvigorate its holy mission.

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In addition, the artist comes off as smarmy and contentious at times, belying his “holy man” persona and populist vibe.

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I quit Hallow on the day I was told is Holy Thursday — I did learn a lot about how many holy days there are! — and sang my own "hallelujiah" in response.

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Related Words

holus-bolus Holy Alliance

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