holy bible: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Religious, formal
Quick answer
What does “holy bible” mean?
The sacred scripture of Christianity, comprising the Old and New Testaments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The sacred scripture of Christianity, comprising the Old and New Testaments.
The authoritative religious text for Christians, containing the foundational narratives, laws, prophecies, and teachings of their faith.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. 'Bible' is the common shorter form in both.
Connotations
Identical connotations of sacred authority and religious tradition.
Frequency
The full phrase "Holy Bible" is used more often on title pages and in formal religious discourse. "The Bible" is overwhelmingly the common form in speech.
Grammar
How to Use “holy bible” in a Sentence
[Subject] + reads/studies/consults + the Holy Bible.According to/In + the Holy Bible, ...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in historical context of oaths or company names (e.g., 'Bible publishing house').
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, history, and literature courses when analysing the text.
Everyday
Common in religious communities. Otherwise, 'the Bible' is used more casually.
Technical
Used in theology to distinguish canonical scripture from apocrypha or other sacred texts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “holy bible”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “holy bible”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holy bible”
- Writing 'holy bible' in lowercase in a religious context (should be capitalised).
- Using 'Holy Bible' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'three Holy Bibles' is acceptable for physical copies, but the text itself is unique).
- Misspelling as 'Holy Bibel' or 'Holy Bibile'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'Holy Bible' is a proper noun phrase and should be capitalised when referring to the specific Christian scriptures.
There is no difference in referent. 'Holy Bible' is simply the more formal, full title, often used on the cover of the book or in very formal religious discourse.
No. The 'Holy Bible' specifically denotes the Christian canon, which includes the Old Testament (shared with Judaism) and the New Testament. Jewish sacred scripture is referred to as the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible.
When referring to the scripture itself, use 'the Holy Bible'. When referring to a physical copy, you can say 'a Holy Bible' (e.g., 'He gave me a Holy Bible').
The sacred scripture of Christianity, comprising the Old and New Testaments.
Holy bible is usually religious, formal in register.
Holy bible: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhəʊli ˈbaɪbl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊli ˈbaɪbl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “swear on the Bible”
- “Bible-thumper (derogatory)”
- “as true as the Bible”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
**HOLY BIBLE**: Hold On, Learn Your Life's Eternal Beliefs In Living Example.
Conceptual Metaphor
The Holy Bible is often metaphorically framed as a LIGHT/GUIDE ('a lamp unto my feet'), a FOUNDATION ('the rock of our faith'), or a WEAPON ('the sword of the Spirit').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST formal and specific term?