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. the state or quality of being holy

Holiness

²

/ ˈhəʊlɪnɪs /

noun

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

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

There was much laughter, which she describes as “carbonated holiness.”

From Time

The portrait of His Holiness that until recently adorned the main prayer hall at the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery has been removed.

From Time

We applaud the parents who are putting in the enormous effort necessary to properly form their kids’ consciences in a culture that has become so hostile to holiness.

From Washington Blade

Nonetheless, that “inward sweetness” awakened the future preacher to a rather uncommon youthful aptitude for holiness.

From The Daily Beast

Later, Edwards noted that many of his youngest members “clearly exemplified” what he called the universal holiness of life.

From The Daily Beast

I went to Dharamsala and met His Holiness [the Dalai Lama] there.

From The Daily Beast

The men are being made saints because of their obvious holiness, and because they are both responsible for medical miracles.

From The Daily Beast

“His Holiness and the Vatican have been clear about a range of issues,” Obama said after the meeting.

From The Daily Beast

They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.

From Project Gutenberg

To me the national affectation of piety and holiness resembles a white shirt put on over a dirty skin.

From Project Gutenberg

His envoys had proposed to refer the knotty point to the decision of His Holiness; but 'this they absolutely declined.'

From Project Gutenberg

Dignity, and even holiness too, sometimes, are more questions of coat and waistcoat than some people imagine.

From Project Gutenberg

What have we to do with such dreamy, self-centred, emotional holiness, here and now in London?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• humility
• purity
• righteousness
• sanctity

More About Holiness

What does holiness mean?

Holiness is a state of religious purity or devotion, as in Our faith says that holiness comes from serving other people and praying often.

Holiness is also used as a title for some religions’ leaders. If you ever meet the Catholic Church’s Pope or Tibetan Buddhism’s Dalia Lama, you can refer to them as your Holiness.

Example: The holiness of this relic is a hotly debated subject in religious circles.

Where does holiness come from?

The first records of the term holiness come from before 900. It comes from the Old English hālignes. It combines the word holy, which means “recognized or declared sacred,” and the suffix –ness, which creates abstract nouns defining the quality of something.

While many religions have a form of holiness, it is understood differently depending on the context. Some religions assign holiness to specific objects, making them relics or sacred items. Sometimes people can have holiness, such as religious leaders or people who follow the laws of their specific faith. Holiness is seen as a goal for many major religions.

Informally, holiness can be used to describe an object that is very important to someone.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to holiness?

• self-holiness (noun)

What are some synonyms for holiness?

• religiousness
• humility
• purity
• righteousness
• sanctity

What are some words that share a root or word element with holiness? 

• holy

What are some words that often get used in discussing holiness?

• devote
• piety

• faith

• religion
• blessed

How is holiness used in real life?

When capitalized, Holiness is usually used as a title for a religious leader. In other uses, it refers to a devotion to and a purity of faith.

The holiness to which the Lord calls you grows through small gestures in everyday life. #GaudeteetExsultate

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 13, 2018

As I prepare to meet His Holiness, the @DalaiLama I envision tomorrow–Where there is no work more important than the work of love.

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) June 25, 2016

Religion stress holiness over grace. Irreligion stresses freedom over holiness. Christianity is freedom through Grace that leads to holiness

— Timothy Keller (@timkellernyc) April 25, 2017

Try using holiness!

Is holiness used correctly in the following sentence?

Priya’s holiness was reflected in how she cared for the needy in her community.