holiness

1 of 2

noun

ho·​li·​ness ˈhō-lē-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being holy

—used as a title for various high religious dignitaries

His Holiness the Pope

2

: sanctification sense 2

holiness

2 of 2

adjective

variants often Holiness

: emphasizing the doctrine of the second blessing

specifically : of or relating to a perfectionist movement arising in U.S. Protestantism in the late 19th century

Synonyms of holiness

Noun

• spirituality
• sanctity
• morality
• godliness
• devotion
• prayerfulness
• saintliness
• devoutness

Examples of holiness in a Sentence

Noun

the holiness of this sacred place

known throughout the world for his holiness, the prophet was visited daily by hundreds of pilgrims

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For millions of people, for more than 2,000 years, the advent has represented an opportunity to reflect, to anticipate—to make holiness out of the spiritual equivalent of standing in line, to sit in stillness during the year’s darkest time and know the light is coming. —Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Nov. 2025

Here, and in the show’s finale, Lipton nails a very Wilderean combination of bluntness, holiness, and dry humor. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

Sainthood is the church’s official acknowledgment that someone lived a life of holiness and is in heaven, serving as an example of Christian faith, devotion, and virtue. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025

This was the difference between chasing holiness and choosing wholeness. —Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez, Time, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for holiness

• lowliness

Kids Definition

holiness

noun

ho·​li·​ness

ˈhō-lē-nəs

1

: the quality or state of being holy

2

capitalized

—used as a title for various high religious officials

His Holiness the Pope