Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Full of holes; having holes: Describes something that contains holes, gaps, or openings, often due to wear, damage, or design.
   • Permeable; allowing passage through holes: While less common, it can describe something that is not solid and allows things to pass through its openings.

Usage

• The primary use is to describe a physical object that has holes in it.
• It is often used to describe worn or damaged items, especially fabrics.
• It can be used informally and sometimes humorously.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • After years of use, his favorite sweater became holey at the elbows.
  • The old, holey bucket could no longer hold water.
  • She used a holey leaf as a stencil for her art project.

Advanced Usage

• "holey" vs. "holy": These are homophones (sound the same) but have completely different meanings. "Holey" refers to having holes, while "holy" refers to something sacred or divine. This distinction is important for correct spelling and understanding.
  • The monk's robe was old and holey, but it was still considered holy.
• Used in compound adjectives to specify the type or extent of holes.
  • The cheese was full of tiny, holey pockets. (Note: This describes the state of the cheese itself, not a compound word like "Swiss cheese").

Variants and Related Words

• Hole (n): An opening or hollow space in a solid object.
  • There's a hole in my sock.
• Holed (adj): Past participle, often used to describe something that has been pierced or has acquired a hole.
  • The ship was holed below the waterline.
• Porous (adj): (A more formal synonym) Having many small holes that allow liquid or air to pass through slowly.
  • Porous rock allows water to filter through.

Synonyms

• Perforated: Pierced with a hole or holes, often in a regular pattern.
• Punctured: Having a small hole made by a sharp point.
• Leaky: Having holes or cracks that allow liquid or gas to escape.

Antonyms

• Solid: Firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid. Having no holes.
• Intact: Not damaged or impaired in any way; complete, with no holes.
• Impermeable: Not allowing fluid to pass through.

Adjective

1. allowing passage in and out
   • our unfenced and largely unpoliced border inevitably has been very porous