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holy
2 syllables · also holier, holiestYour browser doesn’t have built-in voices. Try Chrome, Edge or Safari.
As an adjective, holy means dedicated to a religious purpose or a god. As an interjection, it means an expression of astonishment and awe.
Meanings of holy
10 meaningsadjective
Dedicated to a religious purpose or a god.
“I'm planning to visit the holy city of Jerusalem this Christmas.”
Revered in a religion.
Morally perfect or flawless, or nearly so.
“My grandmother is a very holy woman.”
Separated or set apart from (something unto something or someone else).
Set apart or dedicated for a specific purpose, or for use by a single entity or person.
slangUsed as an intensifier in various interjections.
“Holy cow, I can’t believe he actually lost the race!”
“Those children next door are holy terrors!”
Belonging to or derived from or associated with a divine power
interjection
slangAn expression of astonishment and awe.
noun
A sacred place of pilgrimagelocation
Similar: holy place, sanctum
Older and rare meanings (1)
archaicA thing that is extremely holy; used almost exclusively in Holy of Holies.
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).