Holey vs. Holy — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Holey and Holy
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Definitions
Holey➦
Having holes or full of holes.
Holy➦
Dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred
The holy month of Ramadan
The Holy Bible
Holey➦
Having, or being full of, holes.
Fred loved holey Dutch cheese.
Holy➦
Used in exclamations of surprise or dismay
Holy smoke!
Holey➦
Having pores or holes.
Holy➦
Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
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Holey➦
Allowing passage in and out;
Our unfenced and largely unpoliced border inevitably has been very porous
Holy➦
Regarded with veneration or specified for a religious purpose
A holy book.
A holy place.
Holy➦
Living or undertaken with highly moral or spiritual purpose; saintly
A holy person.
A holy way of life.
Holy➦
Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence
The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.
Holy➦
(Informal) Used as an intensive
Raised holy hell over the mischief their children did.
Holy➦
Dedicated to a religious purpose or a god.
I'm planning to visit the holy city of Jerusalem this Christmas.
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Holy➦
Revered in a religion.
To demonstrate that this is different from the following definition.
Holy➦
Morally perfect or flawless, or nearly so.
My grandmother is a very holy woman.
Holy➦
Separated or set apart from (something unto something or someone else).
Holy➦
Set apart or dedicated for a specific purpose, or for use by a single entity or person.
Holy➦
(slang) Used as an intensifier in various interjections.
Holy cow, I can’t believe he actually lost the race!
Those children next door are holy terrors!
Holy➦
(slang) An expression of astonishment and awe.
Holy➦
(archaic) A thing that is extremely holy; used almost exclusively in Holy of Holies.
Holy➦
Set apart to the service or worship of God; hallowed; sacred; reserved from profane or common use; holy vessels; a holy priesthood.
Holy➦
Spiritually whole or sound; of unimpaired innocence and virtue; free from sinful affections; pure in heart; godly; pious; irreproachable; guiltless; acceptable to God.
Now through her round of holy thoughtThe Church our annual steps has brought.
Holy➦
A sacred place of pilgrimage
Holy➦
Belonging to or derived from or associated with a divine power