The difference between Holy and Sacred

When used as adjectives, holy means dedicated to a religious purpose or a god, whereas sacred means characterized by solemn religious ceremony or religious use, especially, in a positive sense.

Holy is also noun with the meaning: a thing that is extremely holy.

check bellow for the other definitions of Holy and Sacred

  1. Holy as an adjective:

    Dedicated to a religious purpose or a god.

    Examples:

    "I'm planning to visit the holy city of Jerusalem this Christmas."

  2. Holy as an adjective:

    Revered in a religion.

  3. Holy as an adjective:

    Perfect or flawless.

  4. Holy as an adjective:

    Separated or set apart from (something unto something or someone else).

  5. Holy as an adjective:

    Set apart or dedicated for a specific purpose, or for use by a single entity or person.

  6. Holy as an adjective (slang):

    Used as an intensifier in various interjections.

    Examples:

    "Holy cow, I can’t believe he actually lost the race!"

    "Those children next door are holy terrors!"

  1. Holy as a noun (archaic):

    A thing that is extremely holy; used almost exclusively in .

  1. Sacred as an adjective:

    Characterized by solemn religious ceremony or religious use, especially, in a positive sense; consecrated; made holy.

    Examples:

    "a sacred place; a sacred day; sacred service"

  2. Sacred as an adjective:

    Religious; relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not secular

  3. Sacred as an adjective:

    Spiritual; concerned with metaphysics.

  4. Sacred as an adjective:

    Designated or exalted by a divine sanction; possessing the highest title to obedience, honor, reverence, or veneration; entitled to extreme reverence; venerable.

  5. Sacred as an adjective:

    Not to be profaned or violated; inviolable.

  6. Sacred as an adjective (followed by the preposition "to"):

    Consecrated; dedicated; devoted

  7. Sacred as an adjective (archaic):

    Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful.

  1. Sacred as a verb:

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