NYT Dictionary

HOLEY

/ˈhoʊli/
AdjectiveHOLE-yhole-y · 2 syllablesGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2021, 2024

Meaning

Having, or being full of, holes.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English holy, holi, holly, holli (“holey, spongy, hollow”); equivalent to hole + -y. The e was inserted in Modern English to distinguish the word from holy (“hallowed, sacred”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

porousdowdyfrayedfrazzledaperturedcriblefenestratedhoneycombedpatchypeppered

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

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