Pronunciation

/həʊl/

Definitions

• Noun: A hollow space or opening in a surface or object. For example: “There’s a small hole in my sock.”
• Verb: (hole out) To make or force a hole in something; also used in golf to describe when a player hits the ball into the cup. Example: “I managed to hole out from the bunker on the 18th hole.”
• Verb: (hole up) To take refuge or hide in a place. Example: “During the storm, we holed up in a cozy cabin until it passed.”

Phrases

• “Dig a hole”: To excavate a hollow space in the ground.
• “In the hole”: In golf, this refers to a position where a player’s ball is behind the desired spot, such as being one stroke over par on a particular hole.
• “Burn a hole in one’s pocket”: Figurative expression meaning that money is burning a figurative hole, urging the person to spend it quickly.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The rabbit disappeared down its burrow, leaving only a small hole in the ground.”
• Verb (hole out): “After several attempts, he finally holed out his putt to win the tournament.”
• Verb (hole up): “They decided to hole up at home during the quarantine period to stay safe.”

Synonyms

• Opening
• Gap
• Void
• Pit
• Hollow
• Vacancy (for abstract uses)
• Shelter (when used as a verb, ‘hole up’)