holly

noun

hol·​ly ˈhä-lē 

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

This smooth-leafed cousin of the prickly Christmas-style holly has whitish-green flowers in spring before the dark berries that give the shrub its name appear in late summer and early fall. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 May 2026

Winterberry English hollies are commonly planted in front yards and hedgerows, but native winterberry hollies are just as appealing and offer more benefits to local wildlife. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 1 May 2026

This holly tolerates a wide range of soils and can withstand both drought and flooding. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026

This collection of plants includes Japanese holly, aloe, 'Skylands' oriental spruce, and agave. —Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English holin, holly, from Old English holen; akin to Old High German hulis holly, Middle Irish cuilenn

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing holly

• California holly
• English holly
• sea holly

Rhymes for holly

• colley
• collie
• dolly
• folly
• golly
• jolley
• jolly
• lolly
• mollie
• molly
• ollie
• polly

Kids 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

Medical Definition

holly

see sea holly