Holy vs. Sacred — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
Holy refers to something divine or related to a deity, often having moral purity. Sacred refers to something deserving veneration or respect, not necessarily tied to a specific deity. Both imply a set-apart status but can differ in religious context.
Difference Between Holy and Sacred
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Holy typically implies a connection to a specific deity and often emphasizes moral purity or divine qualities.
Sacred usually pertains to something revered or set apart, but doesn't always imply a connection to a specific deity or moral purity.
Holy objects or texts are often considered the direct word or manifestation of a deity.
Sacred spaces or items, while revered, may not be considered direct manifestations of a deity, and can even include natural elements like mountains or rivers.
Holy often carries a moral or ethical weight, implying something not just set apart but also pure, whereas sacred can be more about reverence or awe without the moral undertones.
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Comparison Chart
Deity Specific
Often
Not Necessarily
Moral Purity
Emphasized
Optional
Objects/Texts
Direct manifestation
Revered, not direct
Natural Elements
Rare
More Common
Ethical Weight
Often
Less So
Compare with Definitions
Holy
Holy can pertain to a specific religious tradition.
The Western Wall is a holy site in Judaism.
Sacred
Sacred can apply to natural places or elements.
The sacred river is believed to have healing properties.
Holy
Holy often has a sense of being set apart for divine purposes.
The priest entered the Holy of Holies to perform rituals.
Sacred
Sacred can relate to religious or spiritual reverence.
Sacred music is often played in places of worship.
Holy
Holy items or places can be considered direct manifestations of the divine.
The holy relic is believed to have miraculous powers.
Sacred
Sacred objects or places are set apart but not necessarily divine.
The book is considered sacred literature but not divine scripture.
Holy
Holy implies moral or ethical purity.
The holy man lived an exemplary life.
Sacred
Connected with God or a god or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration
Sacred rites
The site at Eleusis is sacred to Demeter
Holy
Holy refers to something divine or connected to a deity.
The Holy Bible is a central text in Christianity.
Sacred
Dedicated to or set apart for the worship of a deity.
Holy
Dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred
The holy month of Ramadan
The Holy Bible
Sacred
Worthy of religious veneration
The sacred teachings of the Buddha.
Holy
Used in exclamations of surprise or dismay
Holy smoke!
Sacred
Made or declared holy
Sacred bread and wine.
Holy
Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
Sacred
Dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person
Sacred to the memory of her sister.
A private office sacred to the President.
Holy
Regarded with veneration or specified for a religious purpose
A holy book.
A holy place.
Sacred
Worthy of respect; venerable.
Holy
Living or undertaken with highly moral or spiritual purpose; saintly
A holy person.
A holy way of life.
Sacred
Of or relating to religious objects, rites, or practices.
Holy
Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence
The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.
Sacred
Characterized by solemn religious ceremony or religious use, especially, in a positive sense; consecrated, made holy.
A sacred place
A sacred day
Sacred service
Holy
(Informal) Used as an intensive
Raised holy hell over the mischief their children did.
Sacred
Religious; relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not secular
Holy
Dedicated to a religious purpose or a god.
I'm planning to visit the holy city of Jerusalem this Christmas.
Sacred
Spiritual; concerned with metaphysics.
Holy
Revered in a religion.
To demonstrate that this is different from the following definition.
Sacred
Designated or exalted by a divine sanction; possessing the highest title to obedience, honor, reverence, or veneration; entitled to extreme reverence; venerable.
Holy
Morally perfect or flawless, or nearly so.
My grandmother is a very holy woman.
Sacred
Not to be profaned or violated; inviolable.
Holy
Separated or set apart from (something unto something or someone else).
Sacred
(followed by the preposition "to") Consecrated; dedicated; devoted
Holy
Set apart or dedicated for a specific purpose, or for use by a single entity or person.
Sacred
(archaic) Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful.
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!
Sacred
Simple past tense and past participle of sacre
Holy
(slang) An expression of astonishment and awe.
Sacred
Set apart by solemn religious ceremony; especially, in a good sense, made holy; set apart to religious use; consecrated; not profane or common; as, a sacred place; a sacred day; sacred service.
Holy
(archaic) A thing that is extremely holy; used almost exclusively in Holy of Holies.
Sacred
Relating to religion, or to the services of religion; not secular; religious; as, sacred history.
Smit with the love of sacred song.
Holy
Set apart to the service or worship of God; hallowed; sacred; reserved from profane or common use; holy vessels; a holy priesthood.
Sacred
Designated or exalted by a divine sanction; possessing the highest title to obedience, honor, reverence, or veneration; entitled to extreme reverence; venerable.
Such neighbor nearness to our sacred [royal] bloodShould nothing privilege him.
Poet and saint to thee alone were given,The two most sacred names of earth and heaven.
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.
Sacred
Hence, not to be profaned or violated; inviolable.
Secrets of marriage still are sacred held.
Holy
A sacred place of pilgrimage
Sacred
Consecrated; dedicated; devoted; - with to.
A temple, sacred to the queen of love.
Holy
Belonging to or derived from or associated with a divine power
Sacred
Solemnly devoted, in a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed; baleful.
But, to destruction sacred and devote.
Sacred
Concerned with religion or religious purposes;
Sacred texts
Sacred rites
Sacred music
Sacred
Worthy of respect or dedication;
Saw motherhood as woman's sacred calling
Sacred
Made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity or some religious ceremony or use;
A consecrated chursh
The sacred mosque
Sacred elephants
Sacred bread and wine
Sanctified wine
Sacred
Worthy of religious veneration;
The sacred name of Jesus
Jerusalem's hallowed soil
Sacred
(often followed by `to') devoted exclusively to a single use or purpose or person;
A fund sacred to charity
A morning hour sacred to study
A private office sacred to the President
Sacred
Sacred refers to something deserving of veneration or respect.
The Constitution is held as a sacred document by many Americans.
Sacred
Sacred does not always imply moral or ethical purity.
Sacred rites may include offerings or sacrifices.
Common Curiosities
What does Holy mean?
Holy refers to something divine, often emphasizing moral purity.
What does Sacred mean?
Sacred refers to something revered, which may or may not be divine.
Is Holy deity-specific?
Often, the term 'holy' is used in relation to a specific deity.
Can Holy also refer to people?
Yes, individuals considered morally pure can be termed 'holy.'
Are all Holy things Sacred?
Generally, yes, but not all sacred things are considered holy.
Do Holy items always suggest moral purity?
Typically, the term 'holy' carries an ethical or moral weight.
Can Sacred items be natural elements?
Yes, sacredness can extend to natural places or objects.
Do Holy and Sacred always overlap?
No, something can be sacred for cultural reasons without being considered holy.
Can something be Sacred but not Holy?
Yes, a sacred item may be revered but not connected to a specific deity.
Are all Sacred texts Holy?
Not necessarily; a text can be revered (sacred) without being seen as divine (holy).
Can a place be both Holy and Sacred?
Yes, many places are both revered (sacred) and considered divine (holy).
Can Sacred be secular?
Yes, some things are considered sacred without religious implications.
Is a Holy text always the word of a deity?
Generally, a holy text is considered the direct word or will of a deity.
Is Sacred always a religious term?
No, sacred can refer to non-religious things that are highly valued.
What makes something Holy or Sacred?
The terms often derive their meanings from cultural, ethical, or religious contexts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
