Holiday — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈhä-lə-ˌdā/ hol·i·day

Meaning & Definition of Holiday

Holiday (noun)

  1. holy day
  2. a day on which one is exempt from work; specifically, a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event
  3. vacation —often used in the phrase on holiday —often used in plural

Holiday (verb)

  1. to take or spend a vacation or holiday especially in travel or at a resort, vacation

Holiday (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended

    "the member of parliament met his wife while on holiday in the south of France"

    similar: break, hols (British), leave, recess, vacation
    related: sabbatical, furlough, liberty, breather, relaxation, respite, rest, interim, intermission, interval, feast, holy day, legal holiday, idling, loafing, lounging, slacking

Holiday (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to take or spend a vacation

    "saw kangaroos while holidaying in Australia"

    similar: vacation
    related: escape, get (away), get off, break, recess, ease (up), let up, relax, repose, rest, bum, goldbrick, idle, laze, loaf, lounge, slack (off)
    near: drudge, endeavor, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strain, strive, struggle, sweat, toil, travail, work

Related Entry: Legal holiday (noun)

Legal holiday is a different word from Holiday. The synonyms below are for legal holiday, not for holiday.

  1. as in feast, holy day

    similar: feast, holy day, interim, intermission, interval, idling, loafing, lounging, slacking, breather, relaxation, respite, rest, furlough, liberty, sabbatical, break, holiday (chiefly British), hols (British), leave, recess, vacation

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Holiday

The most common words with a similar meaning to Holiday:

British: hols
break, leave, recess, vacation

Related Words for Holiday

sabbatical, furlough, liberty, breather, relaxation, respite, rest, interim, intermission, interval, feast, holy day, legal holiday, idling, loafing, lounging, slacking, escape, get (away), get off, ease (up), let up, relax, repose, bum, goldbrick, idle, laze, loaf, lounge

Near Antonyms of Holiday

drudge, endeavor, grub, hump, hustle, labor, moil, peg (away), plod, plow, plug, slave, slog, strain, strive, struggle, sweat, toil, travail, work

Word Forms of Holiday

Inflections: holidayed, holidaying, holidays

Derived words: holidayer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Holiday

Middle English, from Old English hāligdæg, from hālig holy + dæg day

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Holiday

Words & Phrases Containing Holiday

holiday season, holiday weekend, bank holiday, busman's holiday, floating holiday, High Holiday, legal holiday

Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday

What does "Holiday" mean?

"Holiday" means holy day. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: holy day. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Holiday"?

Other words for "Holiday" include break, hols, leave, recess and vacation. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Holiday" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Holiday"?

There are 36 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Holiday". Common alternatives include break, hols, leave, recess and vacation.

How do you use "Holiday" in a sentence?

Examples of "Holiday" in a sentence: "the member of parliament met his wife while on holiday in the south of France"; "saw kangaroos while holidaying in Australia".

Is "Holiday" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Holiday" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Holiday" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Holiday" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Holiday"?

"Holiday" is pronounced /ˈhä-lə-ˌdā/ and divided into syllables as hol·i·day.

What is the origin of the word "Holiday"?

"Holiday" comes from Middle English, from Old English hāligdæg, from hālig holy + dæg day. First known use: before 12th century.