holly

noun

hol·​ly ˈhä-lē 

plural hollies

1

: any of a genus (Ilex of the family Aquifoliaceae, the holly family) of trees and shrubs

especially : either of two (I. opaca of the eastern U.S. and I. aquifolium of Eurasia) with spiny-margined evergreen leaves and usually red berries often used for Christmas decorations

2

: the foliage or branches of the holly

Examples of holly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once Mother Nature has given you the go-ahead, Vater recommends planting broadleaf evergreens such as gardenias, camellias, and hollies during this early planting season. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2025

For example, instead of a ribbon, use compostable twine or string with a cutting—a sprig of holly, a clipping of eucalyptus, or the branch of a fir—tucked into it. —Verity Burns, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2024

The city’s restaurants haul out the holly and put up Christmas decorations while adding seasonal treats to their menus. —Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

All-purpose fertilizers for evergreens Products labeled specifically for hollies, azaleas, and evergreen shrubs are low in nitrogen and have a balanced NPK ratio (4-3-4). —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English holin, holly, from Old English holen; akin to Old High German hulis holly, Middle Irish cuilenn

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing holly

• California holly
• English holly
• sea holly

Rhymes for holly

• colley
• collie
• dolly
• folly
• golly
• jolley
• jolly
• lolly
• mollie
• molly
• ollie
• polly

Kids Definition

holly

noun

hol·​ly ˈhäl-ē 

plural hollies

1

: either of two trees or shrubs of which one is found in the eastern U.S. and the other in Eurasia and which have evergreen leaves with spiny margins and usually bright red berries

2

: the leaves, berries, and branches of the holly

Medical Definition

holly

see sea holly