how to pronounce holy

/ˈhoʊliː/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of holy is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

holy is pronounced in two syllables

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1.

2.

iː

example pitch curve for pronunciation of holy

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video examples of holy pronunciation

An example use of holy in a speech by a native speaker of american english:

“… the Holy Bible pride comes before a fall …”

meanings of holy

adjective:

Set apart or dedicated for a specific purpose, or for use by a single entity or person.
Alternative letter-case form of holy used when referring to an important figure, such as God, or to an important item or event.
Separated or set apart from (something unto something or someone else).
Morally perfect or flawless, or nearly so.
Used as an intensifier in various interjections.
Revered in a religion.
Dedicated to a religious purpose or a god.

noun:

A thing that is extremely holy; used almost exclusively in Holy of Holies.

holy frequency in english - A2 level of CEFR

the word holy occurs in english on average 77.9 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for A2 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.