holy water: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-High in religious contexts; Low in general contexts.Formal (liturgical), Neutral (general descriptive).
Quick answer
What does “holy water” mean?
Water that has been blessed by a religious figure (typically a priest, bishop, etc.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Water that has been blessed by a religious figure (typically a priest, bishop, etc.) for ceremonial use in various faiths, particularly Christianity.
Can be used metaphorically to describe something perceived as having purifying, protective, or sacred qualities. Also used ironically to describe something treated with undue reverence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage frequency may be slightly higher in historically Catholic regions (e.g., parts of the US like Louisiana, or major UK cities).
Connotations
Connotations are identical, rooted in shared Christian liturgical traditions.
Frequency
Equally common in religious contexts in both varieties. Slightly more likely to appear in general metaphorical use in American media/culture.
Grammar
How to Use “holy water” in a Sentence
[Verb] + holy water: bless, consecrate, sprinkle, use, carry[Preposition] + holy water: with holy water, in holy water[Noun] + of holy water: font, stoup, vial, bottle, sprinklingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “holy water” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vicar will holy-water the new altar before the service. (rare, but possible)
American English
- The priest holy-watered the congregation during the Asperges Mass. (rare)
adjective
British English
- The holy-water font was made of marble.
American English
- They followed the holy-water ritual precisely.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potentially metaphorical: 'The CEO's memo was treated like holy water by the new management team.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, anthropology, and sociology papers discussing ritual practices.
Everyday
Used when discussing religious ceremonies, or metaphorically/humorously. 'My grandmother always kept a small bottle of holy water by her bed.'
Technical
Used in liturgical manuals and theological texts specifying the preparation and use of sacraments and sacramentals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “holy water”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “holy water”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holy water”
- Using 'holywater' as one word (should be two words: holy water).
- Confusing 'holy water' with 'baptismal water' (the latter is specifically for baptism, though it is often holy water).
- Capitalising it incorrectly unless starting a sentence or in a title (e.g., 'The Blessing of the Holy Water').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is used in various Christian denominations including Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, and some Lutheran churches, though its significance and frequency of use may vary.
Theologically, the blessing is considered permanent. However, if it becomes contaminated (e.g., with dirt), it should be disposed of reverently, typically by pouring it onto the ground or into a dedicated sacrarium.
Holy water is specifically blessed using a formal, prescribed rite by an ordained minister. Informal prayer over water does not constitute holy water in the sacramental sense.
In most Christian traditions, only an ordained cleric (priest, bishop, deacon in some rites) can licitly consecrate water to make it holy water through a specific liturgical blessing.
Water that has been blessed by a religious figure (typically a priest, bishop, etc.
Holy water is usually formal (liturgical), neutral (general descriptive). in register.
Holy water: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhəʊli ˈwɔːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊli ˈwɔːtɚ/ / ˈwɑːtɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like holy water on a demon (ineffective or counterproductive)”
- “to treat something like holy water (to revere excessively)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HOLE in a church font where the HOLY WATER is kept.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURITY IS CLEANSING WITH SACRED LIQUID; PROTECTION IS A SACRED BARRIER; BLESSING IS IMPARTING SACRED PROPERTIES.
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, describing a policy as 'holy water' likely suggests it is: