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Definition of "holly" []

  • Any of numerous trees or shrubs of the genus Ilex, usually having bright red berries and glossy evergreen leaves with spiny margins. (noun)
  • Branches of these plants, traditionally used for Christmas decoration. (noun)
  • Any of various similar or related plants. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "holly" in a sentence
  • "Now that the holly is finally decked out, many of you will doubtless be hustling to your favourite bookstores to pick up the latest books of the year."
  • "And … to celebrate this fine time, the StarShipSofa has decked herself out in holly, tinsel and mistletoe."
  • "Christmas holly is usually either English holly, Ilex aquifolium, which has spiny evergreen leaves and bright-red fruit, or American holly, Ilex opaca, which is similar but has duller, less spiny leaves."