holy

Definitions

1. adjective

   Connected with God or a religion.

   Examples

   • I am planning to visit the holy city of Jerusalem.
   • They read holy books together.
   ≈sacred≈godly
2. adjective

   Respected as sacred in a religion.

   Examples

   • Mecca is a holy city for Muslims.
   • The Ganges is considered a holy river.
   ≈sacred≈godly≠profane≠secular≠unholy +1 more
3. adjective

   Very good and pure in life.

   Examples

   • She led a holy and blameless life.
   • The villagers saw him as a holy man.
   ≈faultless≈flawless≈perfect≠damaged≠defective +3 more
4. adjective

   Set apart for a special person or god.

   Examples

   • The temple was holy to the god it honored.
   • The cup was holy and used only in worship.
   ≈consecrated≈hallowed≈sanctified≈consecrated≈divined +5 more
5. adjective

   Kept for one purpose or one person only.

   Examples

   • The grove was holy to the goddess alone.
   • The room was holy and kept only for the high priest.
   ≈reserved≈special≠common
6. adjective

   Used in phrases to show surprise or anger.

   Examples

   • Holy cow, I cannot believe he lost the race!
   • Those kids next door are holy terrors!
   ≈blessed≈cursed≈infernal≈4ucking≈accursed +65 more
7. interjection

   Used to show surprise and wonder.

   Examples

   • Holy cow, look at that view!
   • Holy smokes, I cannot believe it worked!
   ≈holy shit
8. noun

   The holiest place, used in the phrase Holy of Holies.

   Examples

   • Only the priest could enter the holy.
   • The box rested within the innermost holy.