holy
holy
adjective
/ˈhəʊli/
(comparative holier, superlative holiest)
1 usually before noun connected with God or a particular religion
the Holy Bible
holy books/scriptures
the holy city of Mecca
Islam’s holiest shrine
a holy day/month
a holy war (= one fought to defend the beliefs of a particular religion)
holy ground
OPPOSITE unholy
TOPICS Religion and festivals B2
2 good in a moral and religious way
a holy life/man
OPPOSITE unholy
TOPICS Personal qualities B2
TOPICS Religion and festivals B2
3 ​only before noun (informal) used to emphasize that you are surprised, afraid, etc.
Holy cow! What was that?
SEE ALSO holier-than-thou, holiness
Word Origin
Old English hālig, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German heilig, also to whole.