hole
hole
Pronunciation
hole: /hoʊl/
hoʊl: /hoʊl/ (one syllable)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: hole
Plural Noun: holes
Verb (base form): hole
Verb (third-person singular present): holes
Verb (present participle): holing
Verb (past simple): holed
Verb (past participle): holed
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A hollow place or cavity in a solid body or surface.
Synonyms: opening, aperture, cavity, gap, space, crevice, chasm
Antonyms: bump, mound, protuberance, solid
Example: The rabbit dug a deep hole to escape the predator.
An enclosed space or area that is small, dirty, or unpleasant.
Synonyms: hovel, den, slum, dump, pit
Antonyms: mansion, palace, spacious home, clean place
Example: He lived in a tiny hole of an apartment in the city.
A flaw, weakness, or deficiency in something, especially an argument, plan, or system.
Synonyms: defect, loophole, fault, weakness, flaw, gap
Antonyms: strength, advantage, completeness, perfection
Example: The lawyer found a hole in the prosecution's case.
In golf, the target into which the ball is hit; also, a single unit of play on a golf course.
Synonyms: cup (for the target), course segment (for the unit of play)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this specific context)
Example: She made a birdie on the third hole.
Verb
To make a hole or holes in something.
Synonyms: pierce, perforate, bore, penetrate, puncture, drill
Antonyms: mend, patch, repair, fill, seal
Example: The carpenter carefully holed the wood for the screws.
To put or drive (something) into a hole.
Synonyms: insert, place, put, slide
Antonyms: extract, remove, pull out
Example: The golfer holed the ball with a powerful putt.
To stay or take refuge in a hole or enclosed space.
Synonyms: hide, shelter, burrow, den, seclude
Antonyms: emerge, come out, expose, venture
Example: The badger holed up in its sett during the storm.
Examples of Use
Books:
"There was a hole in the wall where a picture had hung." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
"Every one of us is, in the cosmic perspective, precious. If a human disagrees with an another human, they might just want to get rid of a hole but in the cosmic perspective, it is a hole into infinity." (Carl Sagan, Cosmos)
Newspapers:
"The city council approved a plan to fill the large pothole that has been plaguing commuters on Elm Street for months." (The Daily Chronicle)
"Analysts warn that a significant hole in the national budget could lead to cuts in essential public services." (The Financial Times)
Online Publications:
"Scientists discovered a new species of deep-sea fish living in a thermal vent hole thousands of meters below the ocean's surface." (National Geographic Online)
"While the company's new product launch was largely successful, critics pointed out a glaring hole in its cybersecurity protocols." (TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: (Dialogue) "You want to know what's on the other side? It's just a black hole of nothingness." (Interstellar, 2014)
Television Series: (Episode Title) "The Hole" (referencing a mysterious anomaly or prison, e.g., in Lost or The Good Place)
Video Games: (Gameplay Objective) "Find the secret hole in the wall to uncover hidden treasure." (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)
Music: (Lyrics) "I've got a hole in my soul where you used to be." (Aerosmith, "Janie's Got A Gun")
Podcasts: "Our guest today will discuss how to identify and plug financial holes in your personal budget." (Money Matters Podcast, July 4, 2025 episode)
General Public Discourse:
"Be careful, there's a big hole in the sidewalk here." (Spoken on a street)
"I'm in a real hole with my coursework right now; I've got so much to catch up on." (Student discussing academic struggles)
"That argument has a few holes in it, if you ask me." (Friend critiquing another's reasoning)
"I just want to hole up at home this weekend and watch movies." (Person expressing desire for relaxation)
10 Famous Quotes Using Hole
"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." (Leonard Cohen, "Anthem" – While not using "hole," this is a strong metaphorical equivalent of a flaw or opening allowing entry, aligning with the "hole" as a breach or gap.)
"If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging." (Will Rogers)
"The first rule of holes is when you're in one, stop digging." (Molly Ivins – A variation of the above, often attributed to various sources)
"We dig our own graves with our forks and knives." (An old proverb – Metaphorical use of "digging a hole" related to self-harm or consequences)
"A lie always has a hole in it; often two." (Russian Proverb)
"When you are in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging." (Denis Healey)
"Into the hole went Mr. Rabbit, down, down, down." (Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit – Common literary example)
"Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave." (Thomas Browne, Hydriotaphia, Urn Burial – Refers to the grave as a "hole" or resting place)
"The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat." (Lily Tomlin – Metaphorically implies a "hole" or trap of endless striving)
"A hole is nothing at all, but you can break your neck in it." (Irish Proverb)
Etymology
The word "hole" has a long history, going back to the very roots of the English language.
Imagine our ancient ancestors living in homes that were basically just dug-out pits or caves. The word "hole" comes from an Old English word, "hol", which simply meant a "hollow place," a "cave," or an "opening." This makes a lot of sense because the earliest "holes" people encountered or made were likely these natural hollows or openings in the ground or rocks.
So, the first known use and meaning of "hole" (or its ancestor "hol") was exactly what you'd think: a natural or artificial cavity or hollow space.
It's related to words in other old Germanic languages too, like the Old High German "hol" and Old Norse "holr," all pointing to that basic idea of something being "hollow." Over time, the meaning broadened a bit, but the core concept of an empty space within something solid has remained at the heart of the word.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hole
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "hole":
Hole in one: (Golf) Hitting the ball directly into the hole from the tee.
Hole up: To hide or take refuge in a place.
In a hole: In a difficult or disadvantageous situation.
Dig oneself into a hole: To get oneself into an increasingly difficult situation through one's own actions.
Pick holes in (an argument/plan): To find flaws or weaknesses in something.
Burn a hole in one's pocket: Money that one is eager to spend.
(To be) full of holes: To be full of flaws, inconsistencies, or weaknesses.
Punch a hole through: To create an opening by force.
Black hole: A region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. (Also used metaphorically for something that consumes everything).
Down the rabbit hole: To enter into a bizarre, confusing, or complex situation or series of events. (From Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
Hole in the wall: A small, humble, or unassuming place, often a business.
The whole nine yards: Everything possible; all of it. (While "whole" here means entire, it's often confused with "hole" and functions similarly in common speech for emphasis on totality).
Stop digging (when you're in a hole): A proverb meaning to stop making a bad situation worse.
A gaping hole: A very large and noticeable flaw or deficiency.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hole from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
