holly

noun

hol·​ly ˈhä-lē 

plural hollies

1

: any of a genus (Ilex of the family Aquifoliaceae, the holly family) of trees and shrubs

especially : either of two (I. opaca of the eastern U.S. and I. aquifolium of Eurasia) with spiny-margined evergreen leaves and usually red berries often used for Christmas decorations

2

: the foliage or branches of the holly

Examples of holly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Accent with berries like holly and nandina, which are a pretty blushing orange shade this time of year but will turn red for the holidays. — James T. Farmer, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2026

Winterberry Holly Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is a slow-growing shrub native to Eastern North America with red berries that mature in the fall, providing winter interest and food for birds and small mammals. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026

Those compounds are hallmarks of cacao, but they’re also found in yaupon holly, which grows all over the eastern US. — ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026

Indigenous peoples in the southeast have long utilized a plant called yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) for a culturally important drink, which also contains the same alkaloids. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English holin, holly, from Old English holen; akin to Old High German hulis holly, Middle Irish cuilenn

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing holly

• California holly
• English holly
• sea holly

Rhymes for holly

• colley
• collie
• dolly
• folly
• golly
• jolley
• jolly
• lolly
• mollie
• molly
• ollie
• polly

Kids Definition

holly

noun

hol·​ly ˈhäl-ē 

plural hollies

1

: either of two trees or shrubs of which one is found in the eastern U.S. and the other in Eurasia and which have evergreen leaves with spiny margins and usually bright red berries

2

: the leaves, berries, and branches of the holly

Medical Definition

holly

see sea holly