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

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

The Ally has chosen sink themselves with pomposity, a humorless sense of holiness, or, worse still, plain canniness — a cynical nod to the selling power of relevance lurking inside a righteous agenda. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2024

Instead of a display of holiness, wearing ashes means something else entirely. —Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2024

White In the Bible, white refers to purity, light, and holiness associated with the Christmas holiday. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2023

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