holy

IPA/ˈhəʊli/
KK[hˈoli]IPA/ˈhəʊli/

holy — adjective

  • holypositive
  • holiercomparative
  • holiestsuperlative

1. Connected to a god or a religion, especially through the practices, places, writ

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

Connected to a god or a religion, especially through the practices, places, writings, or ceremonies that people treat with great respect.

Example

Andrei carried a small holy book with him on his journey.

attributive use: holy + noun

The church stands on holy ground where people have worshipped for centuries.

relative clause with where

Common collocations
  • holy book
  • holy city
  • holy ground
  • holy water
  • holy day
  • holy place
  • holy site
  • holy text
  • holy war
  • holy spirit
Synonyms
  • sacred

    More common for objects, places, or promises that people treat with deep respect; 'holy' is broader, covering people and writings too.

  • divine

    Refers directly to God or a god ('divine power'), while 'holy' can describe things humans do or make (a holy book).

  • blessed

    Emphasises that something has received God's favour or protection, whereas 'holy' focuses on the thing's link to God.

Antonyms
  • unholy

    The direct opposite; describes something that goes against religious teachings.

  • profane

    Describes words or actions that show disrespect toward religious things; more formal than 'unholy'.

Grammar Patterns

holy + noun

be + holy

Usage Note

Often used before a noun (attributive position) to name things belonging to a religion: holy book, holy water, holy day, holy ground. Also used after linking verbs: 'The ground was holy.'

Common Mistakes

She has a holy job as a teacher at the school.
She does meaningful work as a teacher.
'holy' describes a connection to God or religion, not just any important or meaningful work.

2. Describing a person who follows religious teachings very strictly in their every

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

Describing a person who follows religious teachings very strictly in their everyday actions, or describing the morally pure qualities that such a person shows.

Example

Grandmother led a holy life, helping the poor every day of the week.

collocation: holy life

Wren was seen as a holy person because of her quiet kindness and honesty.

passive: was seen as a holy person

Common collocations
  • holy person
  • holy life
  • holy man
  • holy woman
  • holy soul
Synonyms
  • devout

    Focuses on steady religious practice and belief; 'holy' adds the idea of moral purity.

  • pious

    Similar meaning but can carry a negative tone of showing off one's religion; 'holy' is more neutral.

  • saintly

    Suggests a person is as good as a saint; a stronger and less common word than 'holy'.

Antonyms
  • sinful

    Describes actions or people that go against religious moral rules.

  • corrupt

    Focuses on dishonesty or moral decay rather than religious failure.

Grammar Patterns

holy + noun (person/life)

be + holy

Usage Note

Frequently used to describe people or their way of life; less commonly applied to objects. Distinguish from sense 1, which describes things directly connected to God or religion (holy book, holy city).

Common Mistakes

My classmate is very holy because she goes to church every Sunday.
My classmate is very devout because she goes to church every Sunday.
'holy' implies an exceptionally pure character, not just regular religious attendance.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Holy, sacred, divine, and blessed all relate to God or religion, but each has a different focus. Holy is the broadest word: it describes anything set apart for God — places, books, days, writings, or people. Sacred emphasises deep respect and protection from violation; a sacred promise carries a moral weight that a holy promise would not, and a sacred site should not be damaged. Divine points directly to God or a god's nature — 'divine love' means love that comes from God, not just religious love. Blessed describes something that has received God's favour or protection, such as a blessed event or a blessed life. A building can be holy (set apart for worship) and sacred (deserving reverence), but only a person can be blessed (receiving God's goodness). A holy person lives a pure life; a blessed person has received good things from God.

holy ↗sacred ↗divine ↗blessed ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • truly holy
  • deeply holy

Prepositions

  • holy to

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Holy comes from Old English hālig, which meant 'set apart for God'. This word comes from an older Germanic root *hailagaz, built from *hailaz meaning 'whole, healthy, uninjured'. The original idea was that something holy was so complete and undamaged that it belonged to the divine — it was whole and therefore perfect. This connection between wholeness and holiness survives in related words: health, heal, and whole all share the same ancient root.