homily

noun

hom·​i·​ly ˈhä-mə-lē 

plural homilies

1

: a usually short sermon

a priest delivering his homily

2

: a lecture or discourse on or of a moral theme

3

: an inspirational catchphrase

also : platitude

Did you know?

Homily Has Greek Roots

Gather round for a succinct history of homily. The story starts with the ancient Greek word homilos, meaning "crowd" or "assembly," and travels through related Greek words homilein, "to address," and homilia, "conversation, discourse." Homilia eventually takes on the "usually short sermon" meaning in our modern homily, and then is incorporated into the Latin used by writers of the early first millennium. It reaches English speakers of the 14th century by way of Anglo-French, but when it arrives it's spelled omelie. By the mid-16th century the "h" is back, and the "y" of the modern spelling has found its place. A side note to our tale is this: be careful not to confuse homily with hominy, a 17th century word of Virginia Algonquian origin denoting a key ingredient in the Mexican soup posole (which, if we may be so corny, is a dish worth preaching about).

Synonyms

• sermon

Examples of homily in a Sentence

The priest gave a brief homily on forgiveness.

We had to listen to another one of his homilies about the value of public service.

a politician with a fondness for homily

Recent Examples on the Web

But Parolin’s sceptics point to his lack of experience working at the church’s grassroots and his flat delivery of a homily at a Mass for around 200,000 young people in St Peter’s Square, the day after Francis’ funeral. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 2 May 2025

During the homily at his inaugural Mass at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo echoed an idea and a particular Bible verse from the document. —Ruth Graham, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Readings and the gospel will be followed by a homily. —Nbc News, NBC news, 18 May 2025

Soon prayers would begin, followed by a familiar order: readings from the Bible, the homily by Chiclayo’s new bishop, communion. —Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 12 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English omelie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin homilia, from Late Greek, from Greek, conversation, discourse, from homilein to consort with, address, from homilos crowd, assembly; akin to Greek homos same — more at same

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for homily

• anomaly

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Kids Definition

homily

noun

hom·​i·​ly ˈhäm-ə-lē 

plural homilies

: sermon sense 1