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
The Death Row Records staple and Pittsburgh Steelers supporter will have his mind on his holly and his holly on his mind.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Its texture is also dense and cake-like, sometimes flambeed in brandy for dramatic flair and garnished with a holly sprig for even more of a festive presentation.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
Holiday plants such as holly and lilies can pose a problem if ingested.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Here’s my list of the top 12 titles in the running, starting with the one film that’s got to be feeling holly-jolly.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holly
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Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
Its texture is also dense and cake-like, sometimes flambeed in brandy for dramatic flair and garnished with a holly sprig for even more of a festive presentation.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
Holiday plants such as holly and lilies can pose a problem if ingested.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Here’s my list of the top 12 titles in the running, starting with the one film that’s got to be feeling holly-jolly.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holly
Cite this Entry
“Holly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holly. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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