holy week: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low FrequencyFormal, Religious
Quick answer
What does “holy week” mean?
The week immediately before Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The week immediately before Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar.
The final week of Lent, commemorating the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical religious and liturgical connotations.
Frequency
Slightly more common in regions with stronger Christian traditions or state churches (e.g., UK).
Grammar
How to Use “holy week” in a Sentence
[observe/celebrate/commemorate] + Holy Week[during/throughout/in] + Holy WeekVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “holy week” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Holy Week liturgy is profoundly moving.
- They attended the Holy Week services.
American English
- The Holy Week schedule is posted online.
- She participates in Holy Week observances.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in contexts like holiday scheduling or publishing religious calendars.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, and liturgical studies.
Everyday
Used by Christians discussing religious observance and church schedules.
Technical
Specific liturgical term in Christian theology and church practice.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “holy week”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “holy week”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holy week”
- Uncapitalized spelling ('holy week').
- Using it to refer to any vaguely important week.
- Confusing it with Easter Week (which can follow Easter Sunday).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, typically not. 'Holy Week' is the week *before* Easter Sunday. 'Easter Week' often refers to the week beginning *on* Easter Sunday.
Most major denominations (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, etc.) observe it, but practices and emphasis vary. Some Protestant churches have less elaborate observances.
Palm Sunday (commemorating Jesus' entry into Jerusalem), Maundy Thursday (the Last Supper), Good Friday (the crucifixion), and Holy Saturday.
It is capitalized because it is a proper noun, the official name of a specific liturgical period in the Christian year, similar to 'Lent' or 'Advent'.
The week immediately before Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar.
Holy week is usually formal, religious in register.
Holy week: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhəʊli ˈwiːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊli ˈwiːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(There are no common idioms with 'Holy Week')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember: HOLY WEEK is the week that is wholly sacred before Easter.
Conceptual Metaphor
A JOURNEY (the final path to crucifixion and resurrection). A CONTAINER (of sacred time and events).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Holy Week' primarily associated with?