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

often capitalized

: 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

Noun

• blessedness
• devoutness
• godliness
• piety
• piousness
• sainthood
• saintliness
• saintship
• sanctity

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

And as my character says, ambition is the moth of holiness. —Jordan Riefe, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025

Pleasing or terrible smells could also signify holiness or evil. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 26 Nov. 2024

God is with us through our best of friends because friendship is holiness at its practical best. —Walt Shelton, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

The priests focused mostly on holiness, the prophets on justice and compassion, and the royal courtiers on practical wisdom. —Jonathan Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined above

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