First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
holy
adjective ho·ly \ˈhō-lē\
: connected to a god or a religion
: religious and morally good
—used in phrases that show surprise or excitement
ho·li·erho·li·est
Full Definition of HOLY
1
: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
2
: divine <for the Lord our God is holy — Psalms 99:9(Authorized Version)>
3
: devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity <a holy temple> <holy prophets>
4
a : having a divine quality <holy love> b : venerated as or as if sacred <holy scripture> <a holy relic>
5
—used as an intensive <this is a holy mess> <he was a holy terror when he drank — Thomas Wolfe> ; often used in combination as a mild oath <holy smoke>
— ho·li·ly \-lə-lē\ adverb
See holy defined for English-language learners
See holy defined for kids
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Origin of HOLY
Middle English, from Old English hālig; akin to Old English hāl whole — more at whole
Related to HOLY
Other Christian Religious Terms
HOLY Defined for Kids
holy
adjective ho·ly \ˈhō-lē\
ho·li·erho·li·est
Definition of HOLY for Kids
1
: set apart for the service of God or of a divine being : sacred <a holy temple>
2
: being a deity <the holy Lord God>
3
—used in exclamations to indicate surprise or excitement <Holy mackerel! You won!>
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