Main Entry: ho·ly

Pronunciation: \ˈhō-lē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): ho·li·er; ho·li·est

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hālig; akin to Old English hāl whole — more at whole

Date: before 12th century

1 : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
2 : divine <for the Lord our God is holy — Psalms 99:9(Authorized Version)>
3 : devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity <a holy temple> <holy prophets>
4 a : having a divine quality <holy love> b : venerated as or as if sacred <holy scripture> <a holy relic>
5 —used as an intensive <this is a holy mess> <he was a holy terror when he drank — Thomas Wolfe> ; often used in combination as a mild oath <holy smoke>

— ho·li·ly \-lə-lē\ adverb