holy
gb/hˈoʊli/ us/hˈoʊli/
A2
English
~ 2700
szent, te jó ég
A2
1
szent
A2
Usage pattern:
[holy] [place/object/person]
The Quran is the holy book of Islam.
A Korán az iszlám szent könyve.
Jerusalem is considered a holy city by several religions.
Jeruzsálemet több vallás is szent városnak tartja.
They visited a holy shrine during their trip to India.
The priest blessed the holy water before the ceremony.
Sunday is a holy day for many Christians.
Learner examples
The Bible is a holy book.
A Biblia szent könyv.
Mecca is a holy city for Muslims.
Mekka szent város a muszlimok számára.
We went to a holy place.
She read from a holy text.
This is a holy day for our religion.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'holy' with 'wholly', which means 'completely'.
Meaning
Related to God or religion
Collocations
holy book
|holy place
|holy man
|holy city
|holy day
Synonyms
sacred (More formal and used in both religious and non-religious contexts for things deserving deep respect.)
Antonyms
profane (Describes things that show disrespect for God or religion.)
Themes
religion
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Related to God or religion; very special in a religious way.
Connected to God, a deity, or religious worship; considered sacred.
B1
2
szent
A2
Usage pattern:
[holy] [person/life/action]
She lived a holy life devoted to helping others.
Szent életet élt: mások segítésének szentelte magát.
The monk was considered a holy man by the villagers.
A falubeliek szent embernek tartották a szerzetest.
He tried to follow a holy path of kindness and honesty.
Learner examples
She lives a holy life.
Szent életet él.
The man is very holy.
A férfi nagyon szent ember.
He does holy things to help people.
Meaning
Morally good or pure
Collocations
holy life
|holy person
|holy example
Synonyms
saintly (Often used for people who are exceptionally virtuous, sometimes outside a religious context.)
Antonyms
sinful (Describes actions or people that are morally wrong or evil.)
Themes
morality
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very good and pure in a moral way.
Morally perfect, virtuous, or free from sin.
B1
INFORMAL
3
te jó ég
A2
Usage pattern:
[holy] [noun/phrase] (exclamation)
Holy cow! I didn't see that coming.
Te jó ég! Erre nem számítottam.
Holy smoke! The car almost hit us.
Te jó ég! Majdnem nekünk jött az autó.
Holy moly, that's a big cake!
Learner examples
Holy cow! That is big.
Te jó ég! Ez hatalmas.
Holy moly! You are fast.
Te jó ég, de gyors vagy!
Holy smoke! We are late.
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly use this form in formal writing where it sounds inappropriate.
Meaning
Used for strong emphasis
Collocations
holy cow
|holy crap
|holy moly
Synonyms
wow (An interjection expressing surprise, though less colorful or emphatic than 'holy' expressions.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
Used to show strong surprise, fear, or another feeling in informal speech.
Used in informal speech to express surprise, fear, anger, or other strong emotions, often in exclamations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
holy
IPA
GB/hˈoʊli/
US/hˈoʊli/
Syllables & stress
holy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (holy)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: holy
- Comparative: holier
- Superlative: holiest
Word family
Forms
holier
adjective
holiest
adjective
Core family
holiness
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
unholy
adjective
unholiness
noun
Advanced or less common
holily
adverb
Expressions
Holy Grail
1/hˈoʊli ɡɹˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
Ultimate desired object or goal
Something that people want very much and try hard to get or achieve.
Examples
- For many scientists, finding a cure for cancer is the Holy Grail.
- The championship trophy became the team’s Holy Grail.
holy moly
1/hˈoʊli mˈoʊli/
idiom
informal
Exclamation of surprise or excitement
You say this when you are very surprised or excited.
Examples
- Holy moly! That’s an incredible score.
- Holy moly, you got the job!
holy smoke
1/hˈoʊli smˈoʊk/
idiom
informal
Exclamation of astonishment or alarm
You say this when something amazing or frightening happens suddenly.
Examples
- Holy smoke! Look at that tornado.
- Holy smoke, we almost missed the train!
holy cow
1/hˈoʊli kˈaʊ/
idiom
informal
Exclamation of surprise or shock
You say this when you are very surprised or shocked.
Examples
- Holy cow! That’s the biggest pizza I’ve ever seen.
- Holy cow, that’s the biggest pizza I’ve ever seen!
- Holy cow, I didn’t expect you here!
- Holy cow, I didn’t expect you to arrive so early.
- "Holy cow!" she shouted when she saw the exam results.