holiest
- 1Superlative of holy.
The cathedral houses what believers regard as the holiest relic in the region.
On the holiest day of their calendar, families gather for fasting and prayer.
Note
The top rung of holy, and it can sit on any of that word's meanings: the most sacred place, the most revered figure, the most nearly flawless life. One step down is holier. The same spelling also serves the 'full of holes' superlative, so on the page only context tells the holiest shrine from the holiest socks.
- 2Superlative of holey.
After years of wear, those were the holiest socks in the entire drawer.
The holiest section of the old fence let every gust of wind blow straight through.
Note
A homely superlative built on holey, with the y turning to i before -est. It ranks worn things by how much is missing: socks, sweaters, fences, nets. Because it collides with the sacred superlative, most holey is the safer choice when you want no pun at all. Use holiest when the joke is welcome.
holiest is a form of holy
holy, adjective: Sacred; connected with God or a religion, dedicated to religious use, or deeply revered by believers. Full entry
- Spelling
- holy → holiest: change y to i, add -est
Practice
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