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

How to get new McDonald's 'Grinch' Happy Meal Just in time for Christmas, McDonald's has released its new Grinch Happy Meal with special menu items and a holly jolly surprise inside. —Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 22 Nov. 2025

The sheet sets are available in King, Queen, Twin, and Full sizes, in prints black-and-white plaid, beige with bears and trees, white with sprigs of holly, and white with Christmas village. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2025

Arborvitae, boxwood, holly, and some magnolia and rhododendron species have a leafy evergreen nature that is a welcome landscape addition. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Nov. 2025

Winterberry holly This is a deciduous variety of Holly. —Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025

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