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 collection of plants includes Japanese holly, aloe, 'Skylands' oriental spruce, and agave. —
Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026 The pieces are made from woods such as holly, cherry, walnut and poplar, which DeKnikker deconstructs into tiny fragments, nearly all the exact same size, and reconstructs into looping and curling abstract sculptures. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026 Plant 'Aaron' white caladium, 'Key Lime Pie' heuchera, 'White Nancy' spotted dead nettle, holly fern, ivy, and light pink periwinkle to re-create this design. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026 Sea holly grows well in poor, dry soil and full sun, and will even thrive in exposed, windy areas of your garden. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for holly
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Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026 The pieces are made from woods such as holly, cherry, walnut and poplar, which DeKnikker deconstructs into tiny fragments, nearly all the exact same size, and reconstructs into looping and curling abstract sculptures. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026 Plant 'Aaron' white caladium, 'Key Lime Pie' heuchera, 'White Nancy' spotted dead nettle, holly fern, ivy, and light pink periwinkle to re-create this design. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026 Sea holly grows well in poor, dry soil and full sun, and will even thrive in exposed, windy areas of your garden. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for holly
Cite this Entry
“Holly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/holly. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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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