Holy: meaning, definitions and examples

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holy

 

[ หˆhษ™สŠli ]

Adjective / Exclamation
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

religious

regarded as sacred and deserving special respect or reverence.

Synonyms

blessed, divine, sacred, saintly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
holy

Used to describe something that is dedicated to religion or considered sacred in a general sense, often used with places, people, or objects.

  • The holy temple was filled with worshipers
  • She carries a holy book with her all the time
sacred

Usually refers to something that is regarded with great respect and reverence, often having spiritual significance.

  • The sacred texts of the religion are kept in a special place
  • This ground is considered sacred by the local community
divine

Used to describe something that is God-like or coming from a deity, often conveying a sense of supreme goodness or beauty.

  • He felt a divine presence guiding him
  • The artist's work had a divine quality to it
blessed

Often refers to something that has been made holy through a religious ritual or that is considered highly fortunate. Can also be used when expressing gratitude or thankfulness.

  • They received a blessed gift from their grandparents
  • Feel blessed to have such supportive friends
saintly

Describes someone who behaves in an exceptionally moral or virtuous way, often resembling the qualities attributed to saints.

  • Her saintly behavior earned her the respect of everyone
  • He lived a saintly life, always helping those in need

Examples of usage

  • the Holy Bible
  • a holy relic
Context #2 | Adjective

moral

dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred.

Synonyms

blessed, divine, pure, sacred.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
holy

Used to describe something associated with a deity or religious figure, often with a sense of being revered or sanctified.

  • The holy scriptures guide our faith.
  • This temple is a holy place for many believers.
sacred

Used to describe something that is dedicated or set apart for the worship of a deity and deserving of respect and reverence.

  • The sacred text is read by millions around the world.
  • This grove is considered sacred by the local community.
divine

Used to refer to something associated with a god or the heavens; can also mean extremely good or delightful.

  • They believed the king had a divine right to rule.
  • The chocolate cake tasted simply divine.
blessed

Commonly used to describe someone or something that has received divine favor or benefits, often in a positive, grateful sense.

  • She felt blessed to have such a loving family.
  • The house was blessed by the priest.
pure

Usually describes something that is clean, untainted, or morally good; can also refer to something in its original, unaltered state.

  • She has a pure heart, always putting others first.
  • The water here is pure and free from contaminants.

Examples of usage

  • a holy vow
  • holy matrimony
Context #3 | Exclamation

used to express surprise, anger, or admiration.

Examples of usage

  • Holy cow!
  • Holy moly!

Translations

Translations of the word "holy" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sagrado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคตเคฟเคคเฅเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช heilig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ suci

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฒัั‚ะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล›wiฤ™ty

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ฅž่–ใช (ใ—ใ‚“ใ›ใ„ใช)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท sacrรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ sagrado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kutsal

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‹ ์„ฑํ•œ (์‹ ์„ฑํ•œ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ู‚ุฏุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ svatรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ svรคtรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฅžๅœฃ็š„ (shรฉnshรจng de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ svet

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ heilagur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐัะธะตั‚ั‚ั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒ›แƒ˜แƒœแƒ“แƒ (ts'minda)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรผqษ™ddษ™s

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ sagrado

Etymology

The word 'holy' originated from the Old English word 'hฤlig', meaning 'whole' or 'uninjured'. It has been used in religious contexts to denote something sacred or consecrated. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass a broader sense of reverence and purity in various contexts.

See also: holily, holiness, unholiness, unholy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,017, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.