hole
1hole
noun \ˈhōl\Definition of HOLE
1
a : an opening through something : perforation <have a hole in my coat> b : an area where something is missing : gap: as (1) : a serious discrepancy : flaw, weakness <some holes in your logic> (2) : an opening in a defensive formation; especially : the area of a baseball field between the positions of shortstop and third baseman (3) : a defect in a crystal (as of a semiconductor) that is due to an electron's having left its normal position in one of the crystal bonds and that is equivalent in many respects to a positively charged particle
2
: a hollowed-out place: as a : a cave, pit, or well in the ground b : burrow c : an unusually deep place in a body of water (as a river)
3
a : a wretched or dreary place b : a prison cell especially for solitary confinement
4
a : a shallow cylindrical hole in the putting green of a golf course into which the ball is played b : a part of the golf course from tee to putting green <just beginning play on the third hole>; also : the play on such a hole as a unit of scoring <won the hole by two strokes>
5
a : an awkward position or circumstance : fix <got the rebels out of a hole at the battle — Kenneth Roberts> b : a position of owing or losing money <$10 million in the hole> <raising money to get out of the hole>
— in the hole
1
: having a score below zero
2
: at a disadvantage
See Examples of HOLE
- I have a hole in my sock.
- He fixed the hole in the roof.
- a mouse hole in the wall
- The dog dug a deep hole.
- Her putt rolled right into the hole.
- She made a birdie on the seventh hole.
- The course has 18 holes.
Origin of HOLE
Middle English, from Old English hol (from neuter of hol, adjective, hollow) & holh; akin to Old High German hol, adjective, hollow and perhaps to Old English helan to conceal — more at hell
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to HOLE
Related Words: loophole; breach, break, chink, cleft, crack, cranny, crevice, cut, fissure, gash, notch, rent, rift, rupture, slash, slit, split, tear; slot, space; exit, mouth, outlet, pore, vent; entrance, inlet, intake; pinhole, pinprick, punch, puncture; airhole, armhole, buttonhole, keyhole, knothole, peephole, pothole, wormhole
Rhymes with HOLE
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