Dictionary

hole en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

[hoːɫ] (Canada)
/hɒl/ doll–dole merger
/hol/ (Scotland)
(US) audio
/hoʊl/ (General-American)
[hɔʊɫ] (Received-Pronunciation)
[hɔʊɫ] (Australia, New-Zealand)
[hoɫ] (General-American)
/hɐʉl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
/həʊl/ (Received-Pronunciation)
[hoɫ] (Scotland)
(Australia) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *hulaz Proto-Germanic *hulą Proto-West Germanic *hol Old English hol Middle English hole English hole Inherited from Middle English hole, hol, from Old English hol (“orifice, hollow place, cavity”), from Proto-West Germanic *hol (“hole”), from Proto-Germanic *hulą (“hollow space, cavity”), noun derivative of Proto-Germanic *hulaz (“hollow”), which is of uncertain ultimate origin. Related to hollow. Cognate with Dutch, Faroese, and Icelandic hol (“hole”), Danish hul (“hole”), Faroese, Icelandic, and Norn hola (“hole”), Norwegian Bokmål hol (“depression, hole, cavern”), Swedish hål (“hole”), French houle (“swell of water”). Compare unrelated Finnish kolo (“hole”).

Meanings

A hollow place or cavity; an excavation; a pit; a dent; a depression; a fissure.
- To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in't, are the holes where eyes should be, which pitifully disaster the cheeks. c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vii]:
- I made a blind hole in the wall for a peg. I dug a hole and planted a tree in it.
- Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. Indeed, a nail filed sharp is not of much avail as an arrowhead; you must have it barbed, and that was a little beyond our skill. 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter II, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:
An opening that goes all the way through a solid body, a fabric, etc.; a perforation; a rent.
- The priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Kings 12:9:
- […]her palfrey’s footfall shot Light horrors thro’ her pulses: the blind walls Were full of chinks and holes; and overhead Fantastic gables, crowding, stared:[…] 1840, Alfred Tennyson, Godiva:
- There’s a hole in my shoe. Her stocking has a hole in it.
In games. ▸ A subsurface standard-size hole, also called cup, hitting the ball into which is the object of play. Each hole, of which there are usually eighteen as the standard on a full course, is located on a prepared surface, called the green, of a particular type grass.
In games. ▸ The part of a game in which a player attempts to hit the ball into one of the holes.
- I played 18 holes yesterday. The second hole today cost me three strokes over par.
In games. ▸ The rear portion of the defensive team between the shortstop and the third baseman.
- The shortstop ranged deep into the hole to make the stop.
In games. ▸ A square on the board, with some positional significance, that a player does not, and cannot in the future, control with a friendly pawn.
(qualifier:stud poker) In games. ▸ A card (also called a hole card) dealt face down thus unknown to all but its holder; the status in which such a card is.
In games. ▸ In the game of fives, part of the floor of the court between the step and the pepperbox.
(slang) An excavation pit or trench.
(figuratively) A weakness; a flaw or ambiguity.
- I have found a hole in your argument.
- But between the drinks and subtle things / The holes in my apologies, you know / I’m trying hard to take it back 2011, Fun, “We Are Young”:
In semiconductors, a lack of an electron in an occupied band behaving like a positively charged particle.
A security vulnerability in software which can be taken advantage of by an exploit.
(derogatory, slang, vulgar) Any bodily orifice. ▸ A person's mouth.
- Just shut your hole!
(slang, vulgar) Any bodily orifice. ▸ The anus.
(slang, vulgar) Any bodily orifice. ▸ The vagina.
(derogatory, qualifier:incel slang) A woman.
(informal, with-definite-article) Solitary confinement, a high-security prison cell often used as punishment.
- In late December a Washington State prisoner was involved in a scuffle with a guard who was trying to take him into the hole. 1988 April 2, Ed Mead, “AIDS hysteria sweeps prison guards' union”, in Gay Community News, page 9:
- Disciplinary actions can range from a mere write up to serious time in the hole. 2011, Ahmariah Jackson, IAtomic Seven, Locked Up but Not Locked Down:
(slang) An undesirable place to live or visit.
- His apartment is a hole!
- I have often heard people say, "One can't live upon a view," and I have heard some of the most beautiful places called "awful holes," simply because of the monotonous lives led in them. 1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 109:
(figuratively) Difficulty, in particular, debt.
- "Don't you see the hole it has put me into? […] Of course it was too late to have any alteration printed on the first night and now Miss Roscastle is the draw of the piece. 1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC:
- If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
A chordless cycle in a graph.
(slang) A passing loop; a siding provided for trains traveling in opposite directions on a single-track line to pass each other.
- We’re supposed to take the hole at Cronk and wait for the Limited to pass.
(Canada, US, historical) A mountain valley.
- Jackson Hole

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
holes	Number=Plur		lexicographic

Deriveds

Synonyms

ad-seg (solitary confinement) · hole · block (solitary confinement) · box (solitary confinement) · SCU (solitary confinement) · SHU (solitary confinement) · lockdown (solitary confinement) · box · cooler (solitary confinement) · administrative segregation (solitary confinement) · security housing unit (solitary confinement) · special handling unit (solitary confinement) · pound (solitary confinement) · hotbox (solitary confinement)

Translations (466)

ru ды́рка (a through opening) · ast buracu (hollow in some surface) · ro gaură (a through opening) · is gat (a through opening) · ast furacu (hollow in some surface) · uz teshik (hollow in some surface) · es zaquizamí (undesirable place) · chr ᎠᏔᎴᏒᎢ (hollow in some surface) · ckb کون (a through opening) · hy ծակ (a through opening) · pt buraco (undesirable place) · ml തുള (hollow in some surface) · unm òlèk (hollow in some surface) · mn нүх (hollow in some surface) · ar حُفْرة (hollow in some surface) · ar خرم (hollow in some surface) · pt forame (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · as ফুটা (hollow in some surface) · tt чокыр (hollow in some surface) · pl dołek (place where a prisoner is kept) · alt тежик (hollow in some surface) · pt lacuna (lack of an electron) · it cavità (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · srn olo (hollow in some surface) · da hul (a through opening) · ko 구멍 (hollow in some surface) · nl hole (portion of a game of golf) · eo truo (a through opening) · nl leemte (weakness, flaw) · nl leemte (security vulnerability) · uk очко́ (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · it orifizio (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · it pertugio (hollow in some surface) · pt buraco (portion of a game of golf) · es orificio (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · pa ਮੋਰਾ (hollow in some surface) · ru ка́рцер (place where a prisoner is kept) · pt choça (undesirable place) · nog тесик (a through opening) · ru лазе́йка (security vulnerability) · ba соҡор (hollow in some surface) · mk дупка (hollow in some surface) · kk жыртық (hollow in some surface) · it falla (weakness, flaw) · kim дэлік (hollow in some surface) · ilo abut (hollow in some surface) · zza qul (hollow in some surface) · fi kolo (hollow in some surface) · uk слабина́ (weakness, flaw) · ja 穴 (a through opening) · ml ദ്വാരം (hollow in some surface) · he חֹר (undesirable place) · grc ὀπή (hollow in some surface) · ady абан (hollow in some surface) · ast fueyu (hollow in some surface) · tr çukur (hollow in some surface) · it cunicolo (hollow in some surface) · ca forat (portion of a game of golf) · qu t'uqu (hollow in some surface) · bg я́ма (hollow in some surface) · es bufarda (a through opening) · fr trou (hollow in some surface) · fi kuoppa (hollow in some surface) · es huraco (hollow in some surface) · ka ნახვრეტი (hollow in some surface) · fi aukko (security vulnerability) · da hul (lack of an electron) · bg ду́пка (portion of a game of golf) · nl opening (a through opening) · myv варя (a through opening) · uk ді́рка (security vulnerability) · es hueco (a through opening) · es hura (hollow in some surface) · ru дыра́ (undesirable place) · nl gat (weakness, flaw) · sl luknja (security vulnerability) · tr delik (a through opening) · tyv дежик (hollow in some surface) · lv bedre (hollow in some surface) · nl de put (place where a prisoner is kept) · fi aukko (a through opening) · tt тишек (a through opening) · el οπή (hollow in some surface) · es tugurio (undesirable place) · fr faille (security vulnerability) · zlw-ocs dúpě (hollow in some surface) · de Mulde (hollow in some surface) · uk діра́ (undesirable place) · ce ӏуьрг (hollow in some surface) · da hul (portion of a game of golf) · es hoyo (portion of a game of golf) · th หลุม (hollow in some surface) · br toull (a through opening) · pt buraco (lack of an electron) · oc trauc (a through opening) · vec bus (a through opening) · apw o'i'án (hollow in some surface) · nl opening (hollow in some surface) · hu lyuk (a through opening) · pl karcer (place where a prisoner is kept) · de Loch (place where a prisoner is kept) · la fovea (hollow in some surface) · es potro (hollow in some surface) · pl dziura (hollow in some surface) · la vitium (weakness, flaw) · it buca (container) · sv hål (lack of an electron) · vec bus (hollow in some surface) · cy twll (a through opening) · ru я́ма (hollow in some surface) · bo ས་དོང (hollow in some surface) · lad foyo (hollow in some surface) · pt buraco (hollow in some surface) · cjs тежик (hollow in some surface) · nl lik (place where a prisoner is kept) · nl holte (a through opening) · el οπή (a through opening) · oc trauc (hollow in some surface) · ug تۆشۈك (hollow in some surface) · sh ру̏па (hollow in some surface) · ro gaură (hollow in some surface) · ru ды́рка (lack of an electron) · ca forat (hollow in some surface) · lmo bus (hollow in some surface) · sv hål (weakness, flaw) · fr creux (hollow in some surface) · zh 電洞 /电洞 (lack of an electron) · cs díra (undesirable place) · ar خزق (hollow in some surface) · et auk (hollow in some surface) · ba тишек (a through opening) · mhr аҥ (hollow in some surface) · pl rudera (undesirable place) · it crepa (weakness, flaw) · ru очко́ (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · ru отве́рстие (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · mi poka (hollow in some surface) · gl burato (hollow in some surface) · ru слабина́ (weakness, flaw) · ga oscailt (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · scn bucu (hollow in some surface) · zku yapa (hollow in some surface) · hy ծակ (hollow in some surface) · cs díra (a through opening) · stq Gat (hollow in some surface) · yue 窿 (a through opening) · my တွင်း (hollow in some surface) · fi reikä (portion of a game of golf) · fi aukko (weakness, flaw) · lv caurums (a through opening) · es pozo (hollow in some surface) · es roto (a through opening) · fi loukko (undesirable place) · cs díra (hollow in some surface) · bg ка́рцер (place where a prisoner is kept) · la lacūna (hollow in some surface) · io truo (hollow in some surface) · da sikkerhedshul (security vulnerability) · he חור (undesirable place) · km រូង (hollow in some surface) · bg ду́пка (a through opening) · da hul (weakness, flaw) · mr भोक (a through opening) · pt furo (weakness, flaw) · el τρύπα (undesirable place) · ar ثَقْب (hollow in some surface) · ady абан (a through opening) · be дзі́рка (hollow in some surface) · es buco (hollow in some surface) · es tabuco (undesirable place) · nl lichaamsholte (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · ki irima (hollow in some surface) · pl dziura (lack of an electron) · sq vrimë (hollow in some surface) · nl zwakke plek (weakness, flaw) · es zulo (undesirable place) · da hul (hollow in some surface) · pa ਮੋਰੀ (hollow in some surface) · la tugurium (undesirable place) · la forāmen (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · crh teşik (hollow in some surface) · nb hull (a through opening) · tt батынкылык (hollow in some surface) · es buraco (hollow in some surface) · nl holletje (hollow in some surface) · or ଛିଦ୍ର (hollow in some surface) · gl buraco (a through opening) · as গাঁত (hollow in some surface) · el τρύπα (hollow in some surface) · ru сла́бость (weakness, flaw) · bg про́бив (security vulnerability) · txb kāre (hollow in some surface) · uk захолу́стя (undesirable place) · de Loch (a through opening) · wym łöch (hollow in some surface) · kjh тизік (hollow in some surface) · pl dziura (undesirable place) · ps بغره (hollow in some surface) · ta ஓட்டை (hollow in some surface) · is hola (a through opening) · km រន្ធ (hollow in some surface) · ar خُرْق (hollow in some surface) · ar خُرْم (hollow in some surface) · ru холо́дная (place where a prisoner is kept) · ga gola (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · ps سورى (hollow in some surface) · kmr kun (a through opening) · ru я́ма (place where a prisoner is kept) · ga poll (hollow in some surface) · pt oco (hollow in some surface) · sl luknja (place where a prisoner is kept) · ga poll (a through opening) · no hol (a through opening) · ru сла́бое ме́сто (weakness, flaw) · el τρύπα (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · osp foyo (hollow in some surface) · gv towl (hollow in some surface) · ar فَتْحة (hollow in some surface) · fi reikä (a through opening) · pl dołek (portion of a game of golf) · es cochitril (undesirable place) · ml ദ്വാരം (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · de Kerbe (hollow in some surface) · ru отве́рстие (a through opening) · kum тешик (hollow in some surface) · es cuchitril (undesirable place) · es fallo (security vulnerability) · yi לאָך (hollow in some surface) · bg ду́пка (undesirable place) · mn ᠨᠦᠬᠡ (hollow in some surface) · mhr аҥ (a through opening) · ba батынҡы урын (hollow in some surface) · ps غار (hollow in some surface) · sv håla (undesirable place) · ru дыра́ (security vulnerability) · nl gat (security vulnerability) · es socava (hollow in some surface) · cu дира (hollow in some surface) · nl gat (a through opening) · gld сангар (hollow in some surface) · it cesso (undesirable place) · pt brecha (security vulnerability) · az dəlik (hollow in some surface) · bni libela (hollow in some surface) · ga poll (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · hy անցք (hollow in some surface) · ang þȳrel (hollow in some surface) · alt јыртык (hollow in some surface) · nb hull (hollow in some surface) · th รู (hollow in some surface) · es horado (a through opening) · it foro (hollow in some surface) · es covacha (undesirable place) · fi reikä (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · es forado (a through opening) · sv hål (hollow in some surface) · pt solitária (place where a prisoner is kept) · it pertugio (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · ka ხვრელი (hollow in some surface) · sh òtvor (hollow in some surface) · ale hunax̂ (hollow in some surface) · nl nor (place where a prisoner is kept) · es cepa (hollow in some surface) · ca forat (a through opening) · grc ὀπή (a through opening) · lt skylė (a through opening) · hu lyuk (hollow in some surface) · lt anga (a through opening) · pt furo (security vulnerability) · sh rȕpa (hollow in some surface) · ja 穴 (hollow in some surface) · fr trou (place where a prisoner is kept) · la apertūra (a through opening) · kdr tiešik (hollow in some surface) · yue 窿 (hollow in some surface) · ms lubang (a through opening) · ady гъуанэ (hollow in some surface) · rup gavrã (a through opening) · krc тешик (hollow in some surface) · sl luknja (hollow in some surface) · sk diera (hollow in some surface) · az deşik (hollow in some surface) · gl buraco (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · co tufone (hollow in some surface) · es buhedera (a through opening) · ln libela (hollow in some surface) · nl bajes (place where a prisoner is kept) · bg сла́бост (weakness, flaw) · pt orifício (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · ps منفذ (hollow in some surface) · pt buraco (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · pl wykop (container) · es alcorque (hollow in some surface) · uk ді́́рка (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · es chamizo (undesirable place) · rup gavrã (hollow in some surface) · es cavia (hollow in some surface) · pl otwór (a through opening) · it falla (security vulnerability) · mfe trou (hollow in some surface) · fi pytty (place where a prisoner is kept) · ln libúlú (hollow in some surface) · ar ثُقْب (hollow in some surface) · grc τρύπη (hollow in some surface) · nl zwart gat (undesirable place) · es tronera (a through opening) · sl luknja (weakness, flaw) · uum тэшик (hollow in some surface) · ms lubang (hollow in some surface) · es abertura (a through opening) · pdt Loch (nds) (a through opening) · da hul (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · uz tuynuk (hollow in some surface) · ar حُفرة (hollow in some surface) · ur چھید (hollow in some surface) · vo hog (hollow in some surface) · ota چوقور (hollow in some surface) · it buco (hollow in some surface) · la forāmen (hollow in some surface) · zh 空穴 (lack of an electron) · la hiātus (a through opening) · uk ді́рка (lack of an electron) · grc τρύπημα (hollow in some surface) · lv dobums (hollow in some surface) · gl fallo (security vulnerability) · hy անցք (a through opening) · nl de put (undesirable place) · sl luknja (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · nl gaatje (hollow in some surface) · sv hål (a through opening) · egy q:r-r:*t-N33 (hollow in some surface) · ml ദ്വാരം (a through opening) · hi छेद (a through opening) · bg ду́пка (lack of an electron) · fr trou (a through opening) · ru дыра́ (a through opening) · io truo (a through opening) · es portillo (a through opening) · el τρύπα (a through opening) · uk ді́рка (hollow in some surface) · vo hog (a through opening) · nog тесик (hollow in some surface) · za congh (hollow in some surface) · sl luknja (undesirable place) · fi kolo (container) · lo ຮູ (hollow in some surface) · it lacuna (lack of an electron) · gl burato (a through opening) · nl gat (hollow in some surface) · bg отво́р (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · tk deşik (hollow in some surface) · tl butas (hollow in some surface) · kmr kun (hollow in some surface) · ar خرم (hollow in some surface) · it fessura (hollow in some surface) · ckb چاڵ (hollow in some surface) · sah хайаҕас (hollow in some surface) · gl burato (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · kw toll (a through opening) · fa سوراخ (hollow in some surface) · ar ثَقْب (a through opening) · pl słaby punkt (weakness, flaw) · fr mitard (place where a prisoner is kept) · ru впа́дина (hollow in some surface) · alt тежик (a through opening) · fi aukko (lack of an electron) · ml ഓട്ട (hollow in some surface) · es hoya (hollow in some surface) · lo ຂຸມ (hollow in some surface) · ml സുഷിരം (hollow in some surface) · sv hål (portion of a game of golf) · sh о̀твор (hollow in some surface) · de Loch (hollow in some surface) · an forau (hollow in some surface) · cs slabina (security vulnerability) · de Riss (a through opening) · es hurera (hollow in some surface) · es cuartucho (undesirable place) · gl foca (hollow in some surface) · de Öffnung (a through opening) · de Vertiefung (hollow in some surface) · de Loch (undesirable place) · ar حرق (hollow in some surface) · grc βόθρος (hollow in some surface) · cs kaz (weakness, flaw) · nrn gad (hollow in some surface) · it debolezza (weakness, flaw) · inh ӏург (hollow in some surface) · la lacūna (weakness, flaw) · de Grube (hollow in some surface) · km រូង (a through opening) · it buco (a through opening) · ru захолу́стье (undesirable place) · es agujero (a through opening) · pdt Loch (nds) (hollow in some surface) · eo truo (hollow in some surface) · lt duobė (hollow in some surface) · sl luknja (portion of a game of golf) · la gurgustium (undesirable place) · pam busbus (hollow in some surface) · ga cuas (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · uk ка́рцер (place where a prisoner is kept) · la hiātus (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · pox dară (hollow in some surface) · id lubang (hollow in some surface) · gl pía (hollow in some surface) · ky тешик (hollow in some surface) · tew pho (hollow in some surface) · lt kiaurymė (a through opening) · kl putu (hollow in some surface) · de Grübchen (hollow in some surface) · vi lỗ (hollow in some surface) · scn purtusu (hollow in some surface) · he חור \ חֹר (hollow in some surface) · rup guvã (hollow in some surface) · fr trou (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · grc τρύπη (a through opening) · uk холо́дна (place where a prisoner is kept) · izh reikä (hollow in some surface) · cs jamka (portion of a game of golf) · la forāmen (a through opening) · pl nora (undesirable place) · bn গর্ত (hollow in some surface) · de Mangelelektron (lack of an electron) · mww qhov (hollow in some surface) · ady гъуанэ (a through opening) · scn pirtusu (hollow in some surface) · bg ду́пка (hollow in some surface) · sl luknja (a through opening) · prg prālī (hollow in some surface) · is hola (hollow in some surface) · ale tatax̂ (hollow in some surface) · nl vergeetput (place where a prisoner is kept) · hi छेद (hollow in some surface) · gl buraco (security vulnerability) · it lacuna elettronica (lack of an electron) · myv варя (hollow in some surface) · ru подва́л (place where a prisoner is kept) · it buco (undesirable place) · pl otwór (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · bh छेद (hollow in some surface) · tg сурох (hollow in some surface) · fr trou (lack of an electron) · ja 穴 (weakness, flaw) · la cavum (hollow in some surface) · la ōs (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · de Loch (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · sm lua (hollow in some surface) · ru дыра́ (weakness, flaw) · ar حُفْرة (a through opening) · evn саңар (hollow in some surface) · bo ཁུང་བུ (hollow in some surface) · sms kååʹpp (hollow in some surface) · es agujero (security vulnerability) · fo hol (hollow in some surface) · ru лу́нка (orifice (see anus etc. for specific body cavities)) · zh 穴 (hollow in some surface) · it cella di isolamento (place where a prisoner is kept) · es hoyo (hollow in some surface) · izh uuttu (hollow in some surface) · zh 孔 (hollow in some surface) · pt buraco (a through opening) · gl buraco (hollow in some surface) · hi छिद्र (hollow in some surface) · zh 洞 (hollow in some surface) · kk тесік (hollow in some surface)

hole en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

[hoːɫ] (Canada)
/hɒl/ doll–dole merger
/hol/ (Scotland)
(US) audio
/hoʊl/ (General-American)
[hɔʊɫ] (Received-Pronunciation)
[hɔʊɫ] (Australia, New-Zealand)
[hoɫ] (General-American)
/hɐʉl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
/həʊl/ (Received-Pronunciation)
[hoɫ] (Scotland)
(Australia) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *hulaz Proto-Germanic *hulą Proto-West Germanic *hol Old English hol Middle English hole English hole Inherited from Middle English hole, hol, from Old English hol (“orifice, hollow place, cavity”), from Proto-West Germanic *hol (“hole”), from Proto-Germanic *hulą (“hollow space, cavity”), noun derivative of Proto-Germanic *hulaz (“hollow”), which is of uncertain ultimate origin. Related to hollow. Cognate with Dutch, Faroese, and Icelandic hol (“hole”), Danish hul (“hole”), Faroese, Icelandic, and Norn hola (“hole”), Norwegian Bokmål hol (“depression, hole, cavern”), Swedish hål (“hole”), French houle (“swell of water”). Compare unrelated Finnish kolo (“hole”).

Meanings

(transitive) To make holes in (an object or surface).
- Shrapnel holed the ship's hull.
(broadly, transitive) To destroy.
- She completely holed the argument.
(intransitive) To go into a hole.
- Good master Picklock, with your worming brain, And wriggling engine-head of maintenance, Which I shall see you hole with very shortly! A fine round head, when those two lugs are off, To trundle through a pillory! 1631, Ben Jonson, The Staple of News, act IV, scene ii:
(transitive) To drive into a hole, as an animal, or a billiard ball or golf ball.
- If the player holes the red ball, he scores three, and upon holing his adversary's ball, he gains two; and thus it frequently happens, that seven are got upon a single stroke, by caramboling and holing both balls. 1799, Sporting Magazine, volume 13, page 49:
- Woods holed a standard three foot putt
(transitive) To cut, dig, or bore a hole or holes in.
- to hole a post for the insertion of rails or bars

Forms

Spelling	Features	Source
holes	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres	lexicographic
holed	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic
holed	Tense=Past	lexicographic
holing	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic

Deriveds

holer · hole out · holeable · hole up

Translations (35)

sv göra hål (make holes) · fi aukottaa (cut, dig, or bore a hole or holes) · de lochen (make holes) · nl doorzeven (make holes) · pt esburacar (make holes) · ba тишеү (make holes) · bg пробивам (make holes) · bg издълбавам (cut, dig, or bore a hole or holes) · ru дыря́вить (make holes) · fi panna reikään (drive into a hole) · fi mennä reikään (go into a hole) · ca foradar (make holes) · ru продыря́вить (make holes) · fi tehdä reikä (make holes) · uk продзюра́влювати (make holes) · sv slå hål (make holes) · uk дірявти (make holes) · fi ajaa koloon (drive into a hole) · fr trouer (make holes) · fi rei’ittää (make holes) · gl furar (make holes) · gl esfuracar (make holes) · da lave hul (make holes) · is gera gat á (make holes) · fi rei’ittää (cut, dig, or bore a hole or holes) · wa trawer (make holes) · ar تقب (make holes) · sv punktera (make holes) · nl doorboren (make holes) · da slå hul (make holes) · da punktere (make holes) · fi lyödä reikään (drive into a hole) · ru продырявливать (make holes) · fi läpäistä (make holes) · uk дзюра́вити (make holes)

hole en · ADJ · etymology 2

Pronunciation

[hoːɫ] (Canada)
/hɒl/ doll–dole merger
/hol/ (Scotland)
(US) audio
/hoʊl/ (General-American)
[hɔʊɫ] (Received-Pronunciation)
[hɔʊɫ] (Australia, New-Zealand)
[hoɫ] (General-American)
/hɐʉl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
/həʊl/ (Received-Pronunciation)
[hoɫ] (Scotland)
(Australia) audio

Meanings

(alt-of, obsolete) Obsolete spelling of whole.
alt of whole
- Such was the arrangement of the alphabet over the hole North. 1843, Sir George Webbe Dasent (translator), A grammar of the Icelandic or Old Norse tongue (originally by Rasmus Christian Rask)
(alt-of, misspelling) Misspelling of whole.
alt of whole

Forms

Spelling	Features	Source
holer	Degree=Cmp	lexicographic
holest	Degree=Sup	lexicographic
most hole	Degree=Sup	lexicographic
more hole	Degree=Cmp	lexicographic

hole en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

Etymology

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Descendants

Holonyms

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Synonyms

Translations (466)

hole en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Deriveds

Translations (35)

hole en · ADJ · etymology 2

Pronunciation

Meanings

Forms