- 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
- the holy ⇒ a sacred place
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ho•ly /ˈhoʊli/USA pronunciation
adj., -li•er, -li•est.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Religionrecognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority;
consecrated:holy ground. - Religionsaintly;
pious;
devout:a holy nun. - [usually: before a noun] causing fear, awe, or distress:He's a holy terror when he's angry.
ho•ly
(hō′lē),USA pronunciation adj., -li•er, -li•est, n., pl. -lies.
adj.
n.
adj.
- Religionspecially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority;
consecrated:holy ground. - Religiondedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion:a holy man.
- Religionsaintly;
godly;
pious;
devout:a holy life. - Religionhaving a spiritually pure quality:a holy love.
- Religionentitled to worship or veneration as or as if sacred:a holy relic.
- Religionreligious:holy rites.
- inspiring fear, awe, or grave distress:The director, when angry, is a holy terror.
n.
- Religiona place of worship;
sacred place;
sanctuary.
- bef. 900; Middle English holi, Old English hālig, variant of hāleg, equivalent. to hāl whole + -eg -y1; cognate with Dutch, German heilig, Old Norse heilagr
- 1. blessed. 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. 4. spiritual.
- 3. 4. corrupt, impious.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
holy /ˈhəʊlɪ/ adj (holier, holiest)