Hole: meaning, definitions and examples

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hole

[həʊl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in golf

A small, round opening in the ground on a golf course, typically 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) in diameter, into which the ball must be hit.

Synonyms

hollow, opening, pit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hole	A generic term for an empty space in a solid object. It can be small or large and used in a variety of contexts, from everyday situations to technical descriptions. He accidentally punched a hole in the wall. There's a hole in my sock.
opening	Refers to an accessible entrance or gap. It often suggests a passage through which something can pass or enter. He looked through the opening in the fence. The opening of the tunnel was blocked by debris.
pit	Describes a deep hole or cavity in the ground. It is often used in contexts involving mining, construction, or natural formations. They dug a pit to set up the foundation of the house. The cherries had pits that needed to be removed.
hollow	Used to describe an empty space within an object, often implying a natural or deliberate shape. Typically used for internal cavities. The tree trunk was hollow inside. She could hear an echo from the hollow chamber.

Examples of usage

The golfer managed to sink the ball into the hole with a perfect putt.
She celebrated her hole-in-one by buying drinks for everyone at the club.
The ball rolled just past the edge of the hole, causing frustration for the player.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in the ground

A hollow place in a solid surface.

Synonyms

cavity, hollow, pit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hole	A general term used to describe any physical gap or opening in a surface or object. There is a hole in my sock The dog dug a hole in the yard
pit	Typically refers to a large, deep hole or excavation in the ground, sometimes a natural depression, and can also refer to the stone inside fruits. They found a pit filled with ancient artifacts Be careful not to swallow the peach pit
cavity	Often used in medical or dental contexts to describe a decayed area in a tooth, but can also refer to any empty space within a solid object. The dentist said I have a cavity in my molar The cavity inside the rock was filled with crystals
hollow	Describes something that has an empty space inside, often referring to objects like trees, tubes, or bones. The log was hollow inside The bamboo plant has hollow stems

Examples of usage

The dog dug a hole in the backyard to bury its bone.
He fell into a deep hole while walking in the woods.
The workers filled the hole in the road with gravel and asphalt.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

digging

To make a hole or opening in something by digging.

Synonyms

burrow, dig, excavate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hole	A general term for an opening or cavity in a surface, often used in everyday language. There's a hole in my sock Be careful not to fall into that hole
dig	To create a hole in the ground by removing earth or sand, often used informally or as a command. We need to dig a hole for the new tree The dog loves to dig in the backyard
excavate	A more formal term used in archaeology or construction to describe the process of carefully digging to find ancient relics or to prepare a construction site. Archaeologists will excavate the site to uncover ancient artifacts The builders had to excavate the land before laying the foundation
burrow	Usually refers to a tunnel or hole made by an animal, like a rabbit or a mole, for living or hiding. The rabbit disappeared into its burrow Foxes often burrow to create homes for their families

Examples of usage

She used a shovel to hole the ground for planting flowers.
The miners holed the wall to create a passage through the mountain.
He carefully holed the ice to go fishing.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'hole' comes from the Old English 'hol' meaning 'a hollow place'.
In other languages, like German, 'Loch' also means 'hole', showing similar roots in many cultures.
Historically, holes have been used for various purposes, from digging for water to creating shelter.

Science

In physics, a black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that not even light can escape.
A 'wormhole' is theorized as a tunnel-like structure connecting two different points in space-time.
In geology, sinkholes are natural depressions formed when underground water erodes rock, resulting in surface collapse.

Art

Holes can be an artistic devices, like in 'hole punch art', where artists create pieces using the negative space left by punches.
In sculpture, many artists use holes in materials like stone to create light effects and visual interest.
Some famous artworks explore themes of emptiness and absence, effectively using holes to convey meaning.

Psychology

The concept of 'hole' can represent emptiness or loss in therapeutic discussions, symbolizing what one feels is missing.
In developmental psychology, children might explore holes as they learn about the world, seeing them as spaces to put things.
The 'Swiss cheese model' in safety and risk management explains holes in processes that can lead to failures.

Literature

In literature, a hole often symbolizes voids in characters' lives or the search for wholeness.
Classic stories like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland start with a character falling down a rabbit hole, suggesting a journey into the unknown.
Many poets use metaphors of holes to express feelings of loss, confusion, or longing.

Translations

Translations of the word "hole" in other languages:

🇵🇹 buraco

🇮🇳 छेद

🇩🇪 Loch

🇮🇩 lubang

🇺🇦 дірка

🇵🇱 dziura

🇯🇵 穴 (あな)

🇫🇷 trou

🇪🇸 agujero

🇹🇷 delik

🇰🇷 구멍

🇸🇦 ثقب

🇨🇿 díra

🇸🇰 diera

🇨🇳 洞

🇸🇮 luknja

🇮🇸 hola

🇰🇿 тесік

🇬🇪 ხვრელი

🇦🇿 dəlik

🇲🇽 agujero

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,512, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2509 fashion
2510 sustained
2511 poet
2512 hole
2513 dollar
2514 conventional
2515 shoulder
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