What is holiday? Pronunciation and usage in English

holiday means . Learn how to pronounce and use holiday through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of holiday

holidaynoun

/ˈhɒlɪdeɪ//ˈhɒlɪdi/
Definition & pronunciation of holiday

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "holiday." It's a tricky one for non-native English speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /hɒˈleɪ/ (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "hol" - /hɒ/:

    • h - as in "hat"
    • o - as in "go"
    • l - as in "light"
    • ay - as in "say" (this is a diphthong - a vowel sound that glides from one sound to another)

  2. "day" - /ˈleɪ/:

    • l - as in "light"
    • ay - as in "say" (same diphthong as above)

So, putting it together, you'd say it like this: "Hol-lay"

Here are some helpful tips:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable ("-lay"). You want to emphasize that syllable more than the first ("hol").
  • The "ay" sound: This is key! Practice saying "say" repeatedly to get the feel of this vowel sound.
  • Don’t overemphasize the “h”: The ‘h’ is silent.

Resources to listen:

  • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce holiday" on Google and listen to the audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/holiday/ – This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word in different accents.
  • YouTube: Search for “how to pronounce holiday” on YouTube for numerous video tutorials.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some examples of sentences using "holiday"?

Usage and examples with the word holiday in English

Let's break down how to use the word "holiday" in English. It's a frequently used word, but it has a specific meaning and a few nuances.

1. Core Meaning: A Day of Celebration or Rest

At its most basic, a "holiday" is a day (or sometimes a period of days) that's set aside for celebration, rest, or religious observance. It's a break from normal work or school.

2. Types of Holidays

  • Religious Holidays: These are tied to specific religions.

    • Christmas: Celebrates the birth of Jesus.
    • Easter: Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
    • Hanukkah: A Jewish festival of lights.
    • Ramadan: A Muslim month of fasting.
    • Diwali: A Hindu festival of lights.

  • National Holidays: These are holidays recognized by a government within a country.

    • Independence Day (USA): Celebrates the country's independence.
    • Labor Day (USA/Canada): Honors workers.
    • Victoria Day (Canada): Celebrates the birth of Queen Victoria.
    • Bank Holiday (UK): Days when banks and many businesses are closed, often commemorating historical events or figures.

  • Public Holidays: This often overlaps with National Holidays but can sometimes include days recognized by a region or municipality.

  • Bank Holidays: As mentioned above, these are days when banks are closed, and many businesses are also closed.

  • Personal Holidays: These are days off taken for personal reasons, such as a vacation or a birthday. You'd typically say "I'm taking a holiday next month" to mean you're going on vacation.

3. Usage Examples

  • “We have a holiday next week.” (Meaning a day off)
  • “Christmas is a major holiday.” (Referring to the religious and cultural significance)
  • “The Fourth of July is our national holiday.” (Referring to Independence Day)
  • “She planned a holiday to Italy.” (Meaning a vacation)
  • "Let's celebrate with a holiday dinner." (A festive meal associated with a holiday)
  • “Many countries have public holidays to commemorate important events."

4. Related Words & Phrases

  • Holiday season: The period surrounding a holiday (e.g., the holiday season, Christmas season).
  • Holiday home: A vacation home.
  • Holiday resort: A place offering vacation accommodations and activities.
  • Take a holiday/vacation: To go on a trip for leisure.
  • Holiday spirit: The feeling of joy and excitement associated with holidays.

5. Note on American vs. British Usage

  • "Vacation" is more commonly used in American English to refer to a trip for leisure.
  • "Holiday" is more common in British English, covering a broader range of days off, including religious and national holidays.

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • What context are you interested in using the word "holiday" in? (e.g., talking about travel, discussing religion, describing a day off?)

Synonyms for the word holiday

Practice with vocabulary holiday

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many businesses close on national _____________ to allow employees to spend time with family.
  2. My annual _____________ to the mountains is always the highlight of my year.
  3. The company offers generous parental _____________ for new mothers and fathers.
  4. Our team organized a short _____________ to the nearby historical site as a morale booster.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which of the following describes a period of official public observance, usually a day off from work or school? A. holiday B. sabbatical C. recess D. intermission

  2. If you are planning an extended trip for leisure and relaxation, you might refer to it as a: A. holiday B. vacation C. journey D. expedition

  3. To describe a festive day celebrating a significant event, you could use: A. holiday B. celebration C. festival D. occasion

  4. Which term is used for a short break during a meeting or work period? A. break B. pause C. leave D. interval

  5. What is a formal period of absence from work, often paid, for personal time or rest? A. leave B. absence C. sabbatical D. retirement

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The office will be closed on December 25th to mark the festive period. (Rewrite using "holiday") __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many businesses close on national holidays to allow employees to spend time with family.
  2. My annual holiday to the mountains is always the highlight of my year.
  3. The company offers generous parental leave for new mothers and fathers.
  4. Our team organized a short excursion to the nearby historical site as a morale booster.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which of the following describes a period of official public observance, usually a day off from work or school? A. holiday

  2. If you are planning an extended trip for leisure and relaxation, you might refer to it as a: A. holiday B. vacation

  3. To describe a festive day celebrating a significant event, you could use: A. holiday B. celebration

  4. Which term is used for a short break during a meeting or work period? A. break B. pause

  5. What is a formal period of absence from work, often paid, for personal time or rest? A. leave B. absence

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The office will be closed on December 25th to mark the festive period. Rewrite: The office will be closed on December 25th for the holiday period.

  2. Original: After completing the demanding project, she truly earned a break and decided to travel overseas for some relaxation. Rewrite: After completing the demanding project, she truly earned a break and decided to go on holiday overseas for some relaxation.

  3. Original: All staff members are entitled to 25 days off from work annually for personal reasons. Rewrite: All staff members are entitled to 25 days of annual leave from work each year for personal reasons.

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