Holly is an evergreen tree or shrub which has hard, shiny leaves with sharp points, and red berries in winter.
holly in British English
(ˈhɒlɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-lies
1.
any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex, such as the Eurasian I. aquifolium, having bright red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges
2.
branches of any of these trees, used for Christmas decorations
3. holly oak
See also sea holly
Word origin
Old English holegn; related to Old Norse hulfr, Old High German hulis, German Hulst, Old Slavonic kolja prick
Holly in British English
(ˈhɒlɪ)
noun
Buddy. real name Charles Harden Holley. 1936–59, US rock-and-roll singer, guitarist, and songwriter. His hits (all 1956–59) include "That'll be the Day", "Maybe Baby", "Peggy Sue", "Oh, Boy", "Think It Over", and "It Doesn't Matter Anymore"
Holly in American English
(ˈhɑli)
noun
a feminine name
holly in American English
(ˈhɑli)
nounWord forms: pluralˈhollies
1.
any of a genus (Ilex) of small trees and shrubs of the holly family, with stiff, glossy, sharp-pointed leaves and clusters of bright-red berries
2.
the leaves and berries, used as Christmas ornaments
adjective
3.
designating a family (Aquifoliaceae, order Celastrales) of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs, includingthe dahoon and black alder
Word origin
ME holi, holin < OE holegn < IE base *kel-, to prick > Welsh celyn, holly, Sans kaṫambá-, arrow
A small vase in each guest bedroom, with a sprig of holly with berries, is a nice touch.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A small vase in each guest bedroom, with a sprig of holly with berries, is a nicetouch.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These are the offspring of the holly blues that were about in spring.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The holly and the mistletoe must be taken down and burned.
Christianity Today (2000)
Then add a bow or a sprig of holly.
The Sun (2012)
Your question about the holly hedge raises one highly topical issue.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Cutting sprigs of holly in spring will provide all the pruning they need.
The Sun (2015)
The same goes for weak holly hedges.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They were beside the holly hedge.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
The holly tree has since died, but the house remains.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Then cover it with ivy, holly and garden clippings.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The second brood of holly blue butterflies is on the wing, and sailing through gardens.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Cover up with holly, ivy and tinsel.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
WHY is my holly tree shedding so many leaves?
The Sun (2011)
A small butterfly that can be seen in gardens is the holly blue.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
WHEN is the best time to prune my standard holly tree?
The Sun (2012)
A sprig of holly in our tum.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
An odd sight is a holly tree growing in the shade but with one branch well exposed to the Sun.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is the holly blue.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But do not be deceived by the mistletoe and holly, the decadent displays of game and the delicious smells of roasting meat and spiced mulled wine.
The Sun (2014)
Twice on the way Stephanie glanced back at the waiting car, until they came to a holly hedge.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
Word lists with
holly
tree
In other languages
holly
British English: holly /ˈhɒlɪ/ NOUN
Hollies are a group of evergreen trees and shrubs which have hard, shiny, prickly leaves, and also have bright red berries in winter.
American English: holly
Arabic: نَبَاتُ شَائِكُ الَأطْراف
Brazilian Portuguese: azevinho
Chinese: 冬青树
Croatian: božikovina
Czech: cesmína
Danish: kristtorn
Dutch: hulst
European Spanish: acebo
Finnish: piikkipaatsama
French: houx
German: Stechpalme
Greek: λιόπρινο
Italian: agrifoglio
Japanese: セイヨウヒイラギ
Korean: 호랑가시나무
Norwegian: kristtorn
Polish: ostrokrzew
European Portuguese: azevinho
Romanian: ilice
Russian: остролист
Latin American Spanish: acebo
Swedish: järnek
Thai: ต้นฮอลลี่
Turkish: çoban püskülü
Ukrainian: падуб
Vietnamese: cây nhựa ruồi
All related terms of 'holly'
holly oak
→ another name for holm oak
sea holly
a European umbelliferous plant, Eryngium maritimum, of sandy shores , having spiny bluish-green stems and blue flowers
holly berry
a bitter , slightly poisonous berry that grows on holly trees or shrubs
evergreen oak
an evergreen Mediterranean oak tree, Quercus ilex , widely planted for ornament : the leaves are holly-like when young but become smooth-edged with age
holm oak
an evergreen Mediterranean oak tree, Quercus ilex , widely planted for ornament : the leaves are holly-like when young but become smooth-edged with age