holiness

[ hoh-lee-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being holy; sanctity.

   Synonyms: saintliness, godliness, blessedness

2. (initial capital letter) a title of the pope, formerly used also of other high ecclesiastics (usually preceded by His or Your ).

Holiness

¹

/ ˈhəʊlɪnɪs /

noun

1. preceded byhis or your a title once given to all bishops, but now reserved for the pope

holiness

²

/ ˈhəʊlɪnɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being holy

Other Words From

• self-holi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of holiness¹

before 900; Middle English holynesse, Old English hālignes. See holy, -ness

Example Sentences

Nobody calls holiness home—although, ironically, doing so is an all-too-human habit.

From Slate

It’s an elegiac relationship, compounded by the recent passing of my grandmother, who embodied holiness and unadulterated love in every sense.

From Salon

Shortly after his election win in November, Mr Milei invited the Pope - whom he addressed as "Your Holiness" - to visit Argentina in 2024.

From BBC

For those familiar with authoritarian history, it is no wonder that the talking point of Trump's holiness has become prominent as more of his malfeasance and illegal behavior has been made public.

From Salon

The notion of the strongman as both savior and victim —the leader as a man of the people and a man above all other men— surrounds depraved and corrupt individuals with an aura of holiness.

From Salon

Related Words

• humility
• purity
• righteousness
• sanctity