# holiness

/ˈhoʊɫinəs/ (US) · /hˈəʊlinəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/holiness
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. spiritual purity

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the state of being holy, pure, or very close to God.

For teachers: the quality or state of being holy, sacred, or spiritually perfect. Uncountable in this abstract sense.

- Many people visit the temple to feel a sense of peace and holiness.
- The pilgrims were deeply moved by the perceived holiness of the shrine, which had been a site of prayer for over a thousand years.

### 2. a religious title

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a title used when speaking to or about a high religious leader, such as the Pope.

For teachers: a formal title of address or reference for high-ranking religious officials, most notably the Pope or the Dalai Lama. Always capitalized when used as a title.

- The crowd waited for hours to see His Holiness the Pope.
- During the private audience, the ambassador addressed the spiritual leader as Your Holiness, following the strict protocol of the Vatican.

## Examples

- The pilgrims were moved by the holiness of the temple.
- Visitors are asked to speak quietly to respect the holiness of the ancient cathedral.
- The theologian argued that true holiness is found not in isolation from the world, but in the compassionate service of others within one's community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.