Holiest

Holiest is the superlative form of holy, used to denote the highest degree of sacredness within a religious, spiritual, or moral framework. It applies to places, people, times, or things that are regarded as exceptionally sacred. The word is inherently comparative and relative to a tradition’s beliefs, so what is called holiest can vary across cultures and histories.

Etymology and form: Holy comes from Old English halig, related to other Germanic terms for sacred. The adjective forms holier and holiest have long been part of English grammar, with holiness as the corresponding noun and holiness-related terms such as sanctity and sanctification.

Contextual use: In religion-specific contexts, holiest may designate a sacred site (for example, a temple’s inner sanctuary), a day or season, or a revered figure. The phrase the Holiest of Holies is a well-known label for the inner sanctuary in ancient Judaism. In Christian usage, Most Holy is an epithet used in liturgy and doctrine, as in references to the Most Holy Trinity or the Eucharist.

Because holiness is a matter of belief, the holiest status is a matter of faith and tradition rather than an objective measure. Variations exist across faiths, languages, and historical periods.