Saint vs. Holy — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Saint and Holy
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Compare with Definitions
Saint
In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term "saint" depends on the context and denomination.
Holy
Dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred
The holy month of Ramadan
The Holy Bible
Saint
Abbr. St. or S. A person officially recognized, especially by canonization, as being entitled to public veneration and capable of interceding for people on earth.
Holy
Used in exclamations of surprise or dismay
Holy smoke!
Saint
A person who has died and gone to heaven.
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Holy
Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
Saint
Saint A member of any of various Christian groups, especially a Latter-Day Saint.
Holy
Regarded with veneration or specified for a religious purpose
A holy book.
A holy place.
Saint
A person who is venerated for holiness in a non-Christian religious tradition.
Holy
Living or undertaken with highly moral or spiritual purpose; saintly
A holy person.
A holy way of life.
Saint
An extremely virtuous person.
Holy
Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence
The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.
Saint
To name, recognize, or venerate as a saint.
Holy
(Informal) Used as an intensive
Raised holy hell over the mischief their children did.
Saint
To regard or venerate as extremely virtuous.
Holy
Dedicated to a religious purpose or a god.
I'm planning to visit the holy city of Jerusalem this Christmas.
Saint
A person whom a church or another religious group has officially recognised as especially holy or godly; one eminent for piety and virtue.
Kateri Tekakwitha was proclaimed a saint.
Holy
Revered in a religion.
To demonstrate that this is different from the following definition.
Saint
A person with positive qualities; one who does good.
Dorothy Day was a living saint.
Thanks for looking after the house while I'm away. You're a saint!
Holy
Morally perfect or flawless, or nearly so.
My grandmother is a very holy woman.
Saint
One of the blessed in heaven.
Holy
Separated or set apart from (something unto something or someone else).
Saint
(archaic) A holy object.
Holy
Set apart or dedicated for a specific purpose, or for use by a single entity or person.
Saint
(transitive) To canonize, to formally recognize someone as a saint.
Many wish to see Pope John Paul II sainted immediately.
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!
Saint
A person sanctified; a holy or godly person; one eminent for piety and virtue; any true Christian, as being redeemed and consecrated to God.
Them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints.
Holy
(slang) An expression of astonishment and awe.
Saint
One of the blessed in heaven.
Then shall thy saints, unmixed, and from the impureFar separate, circling thy holy mount,Unfeigned hallelujahs to thee sing.
Holy
(archaic) A thing that is extremely holy; used almost exclusively in Holy of Holies.
Saint
One canonized by the church.
Holy
Set apart to the service or worship of God; hallowed; sacred; reserved from profane or common use; holy vessels; a holy priesthood.
Saint
To make a saint of; to enroll among the saints by an offical act, as of the pope; to canonize; to give the title or reputation of a saint to (some one).
A large hospital, erected by a shoemaker who has been beatified, though never sainted.
Whether the charmer sinner it or saint it.
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.
Saint
To act or live as a saint.
Holy
A sacred place of pilgrimage
Saint
A person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
Holy
Belonging to or derived from or associated with a divine power
Saint
Person of exceptional holiness
Saint
Model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
Saint
Hold sacred
Saint
In the Catholic church; declare (a dead person) to be a saint;
After he was shown to have performed a miracle, the priest was canonized
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