Example sentence with word holy?

Example: The stained glass window depicted a scene from the holy scriptures

What is holy? Pronunciation and usage in English

holy means . Learn how to pronounce and use holy through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of holy

holyadjective

/ˈhəʊli/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "holy" in English. It's a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

ˈhɒli (rhymes with "holy rolli")

Let's break that down further:

ˈhɒ: This is the stressed syllable. The "h" is silent. The "o" sound is a short, open "o" sound – similar to the "o" in “hot” or “lot”.
li: This is the unstressed syllable. The “i” makes an “ih” sound, like in “bit.”

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each sound:

Silent ‘h’: This is crucial! Don't pronounce the 'h'.
‘o’ sound: As mentioned, a short, open ‘o’ – like in "hot" or "lot." Don't pronounce it like the long ‘o’ in “boat.”
‘i’ sound: A simple “ih” sound, as in "bit."

Resources to help you hear it:

Google Translate: Type "holy" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (https://translate.google.com/)
Forvo: This website has pronunciations from native speakers. https://forvo.com/word/holy/
YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce holy" on YouTube – you’ll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Important Note about regional variations:

While the above pronunciation is standard, you might hear slight variations. In some parts of the United States, you might hear it sound a bit closer to “hole-ee”. However, the “ˈhɒli” pronunciation is the most widely understood and used.

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Usage and examples with the word holy in English

The word "holy" has a rich and layered history, and its usage has evolved over time. Here's a breakdown of how to use it, categorized for clarity:

1. Religious Usage (Most Traditional):

Meaning: This is the original and strongest sense of the word. It refers to something sacred, consecrated, or devoted to God.
Examples:
- "The church is a holy place." (Dedicated to God)
- "She prayed in a holy silence." (Filled with reverence and sacredness)
- "He dressed in holy vestments." (Sacred clothing worn by religious figures)
- "It's holy scripture." (Considered divinely inspired)

2. Expressing Awe and Wonder (Modern Usage - Increasingly Common):

Meaning: Used to describe something overwhelmingly impressive, beautiful, or extraordinary. It's an intensifier – similar to "amazing," "incredible," or "fantastic."
Examples:
- "That sunset was holy!" (Extraordinarily beautiful)
- "The music was holy - it moved me to tears." (Profoundly emotional and powerful)
- "He had a holy look of surprise on his face." (A very strong and dramatic reaction)
- “It was a holy moment.” (Meaning particularly significant and memorable)

3. Expressing Disbelief or Shock (Informal & Often Colloquial):

Meaning: This usage is often considered slang and can be seen as slightly disrespectful, particularly when used in formal contexts. It expresses a strong sense of disbelief, shock, or surprise, often implying inadequacy to describe the situation.
Examples:
- "Holy cow!" (An exclamation of surprise – similar to "Wow!")
- "Holy moly!" (Another exclamation of surprise)
- "Holy crap!" (Strong but informal surprise - use with caution)
- "Holy smokes!" (Similar to "Holy cow!")

Important Notes & Nuances:

Formality: Be very mindful of the context and your audience. Using "holy" to describe something impressive is generally acceptable, but "holy crap" or "holy moly" should be reserved for informal conversations.
Religious Sensitivity: When using “holy” in its religious sense, be respectful of different beliefs. Avoid using it in a mocking or dismissive way.
Overuse: As with any intensifier, avoid overusing "holy." It can lose its impact if used repeatedly.

Here's a quick table summarizing the different contexts:

Context	Meaning	Example	Tone
Religious	Sacred, consecrated	“The temple is a holy place.”	Reverent
Awe/Wonder	Extraordinary, impressive	“That concert was holy!”	Enthusiastic
Informal (Slang)	Strong surprise/disbelief	“Holy cow! Did you see that?”	Casual

Resources for Further Learning:

Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

In what context are you considering using the word "holy"? (e.g., writing a story, speaking in a formal presentation, casual conversation?)

Synonyms for the word holy

Practice with vocabulary holy

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Many pilgrims travel great distances to visit the __________ sites mentioned in ancient scriptures.
The ancient temple was a __________ place for the local community, known for its intricate carvings and peaceful atmosphere.
The company considered its commitment to customer data privacy a __________ obligation, never to be breached.
Ensuring the accuracy of financial reports is __________ to maintaining investor trust and regulatory compliance.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers)

Which of the following words can describe a place of profound religious significance and reverence? a) profane b) secular c) holy d) sacred e) mundane
Which terms could be used to characterize ancient texts considered central to a faith or spiritual practice? a) academic b) holy c) secular d) sanctified e) prosaic
If someone shows deep respect and devotion towards religious traditions and practices, they might be described as: a) impious b) reverent c) pious d) heretical e) profane
A commitment that is considered absolutely binding and inviolable, perhaps due to a strong moral or religious foundation, could be called: a) negligible b) holy c) trivial d) unbreakable e) casual
Which of these words refers to something that is considered extremely significant and deserving of the utmost respect, but not necessarily in a religious context? a) trivial b) paramount c) indispensable d) insignificant e) frivolous

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Original: People treated the ancient texts with the deepest respect and regarded them as divinely inspired. Rewrite using "holy" or a related word form: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________\
Original: The community held certain traditions as absolutely essential and unchangeable for their cultural identity. Rewrite using "holy" or a related word form: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________\
Original: The majestic redwood forest evoked a profound sense of spiritual awe and reverence in all who visited. Rewrite WITHOUT using "holy": _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________\

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Many pilgrims travel great distances to visit the holy sites mentioned in ancient scriptures.
The ancient temple was a sacred place for the local community, known for its intricate carvings and peaceful atmosphere.
The company considered its commitment to customer data privacy a holy obligation, never to be breached.
Ensuring the accuracy of financial reports is paramount to maintaining investor trust and regulatory compliance.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

c) holy, d) sacred
b) holy, d) sanctified
b) reverent, c) pious
b) holy, d) unbreakable
b) paramount, c) indispensable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

The ancient texts were revered as holy scriptures, treated with the deepest respect.
The community considered certain traditions as holy, essential, and unchangeable foundations of their cultural identity.
The majestic redwood forest evoked a profound sense of hallowed awe and reverence in all who visited.