ENGLISH
REFERENCE

on holiday

prep. phr..
A1 Beginner Oxford

prep. phr.. When you are on holiday, you are away from work or school for a period of rest and enjoyment, often in a different place.

prep. phr.. A prepositional phrase indicating a temporary state of being away from one's usual obligations, such as work or school, for leisure.


SIMPLE

My boss is on holiday for two weeks.

CONTEXTUAL

We can't start the project until Sarah is back from being on holiday.

COMPLEX

While the government faced a crisis, the prime minister was criticized for remaining on holiday at a private resort.

Usage

This phrase is standard in British English; American English speakers typically say 'on vacation'.

Teaching tip

Contrast 'on holiday' (a period of leisure away from work) with 'a public holiday' or 'bank holiday' (a single day when most people do not work).

Pitfall

She is in holiday next week.She is on holiday next week.The correct preposition to describe this state is 'on', not 'in'.

© 2026 English Reference