- 1[usually before noun] connected with God or a particular religion the Holy Bible/Scriptures holy ground a holy war (= one fought to defend the beliefs of a particular religion) the holy city of Mecca Islam's holiest shrine opposite unholy see holy orders
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- 2good in a moral and religious way a holy life/man opposite unholy
- 3[only before noun] (informal) used to emphasize that you are surprised, afraid, etc. Holy cow! What was that? see holier-than-thou, holiness
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