holes

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "holes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun to refer to a physical opening in a surface, as a verb to mean making an opening, or as an adjective to mean full of or having many holes. Example: I noticed several small holes in the wall, so I decided to patch them up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now Khalid is back there cackling at the thought of all those Americans exposing the holes in their socks on cold airport floors.

The Economist

The things I watch tend to have huge plot holes, coinciding with the stretches I've slept through.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Matt and Sweat escaped from adjoining cells by cutting holes in pipes in the prison's heating system and had the time and nerve to leave a note bearing a smiley face and the words "Have a nice day".

The Guardian

He was also physically fit, and worked from morning till night, gardening and digging holes right up to his arrest, so we think he would have been able to bury bodies so that they wouldn't have been discovered".

The Guardian

He had roughly the same effect on the room that black holes are said to have on their surrounding star fields.

The Guardian - Film

Holes in security at the consulate have been the subject of an internal government investigation at the State Department and a congressional inquiry.

The Guardian

Experts have already pointed to basic holes in the email server's security based on public data, and as any systems administrator will tell you, running your own email server is never simple.

The Guardian

The search will invoke mini black holes, antimatter, quark-gluon plasma, and extra dimensions of space.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is plated with 24-carat gold," says James Clelland, one eye closed against the storm front of cloud tumbling from the holes in his face.

The Guardian

Four up with seven to play, Ollie lost four of the next five holes.

The Guardian - Sport

3 When the sauce has reduced, make four holes in it and break the eggs into them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about security vulnerabilities, use "holes" to highlight weaknesses that can be exploited. For example, "There are significant security holes in the system that need patching."

Common error

Avoid using "holes" when "gaps" or "lacunae" would be more appropriate in abstract discussions. For instance, in philosophical arguments, saying "gaps in the logic" is often clearer than "holes in the logic."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "holes" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple openings or gaps in a surface or object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, appearing in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Film

8%

Opinion

7%

Travel

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "holes", as Ludwig AI confirms, functions primarily as a plural noun denoting openings or gaps, both literally and figuratively. Its usage is very common, particularly in contexts related to news and media, lifestyle, and sports, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the context. For best practice, use "holes" to highlight clear deficiencies or vulnerabilities, especially in security contexts. However, avoid overuse in abstract discussions where terms like "gaps" or "lacunae" might be more suitable. Common synonyms include "openings", "cavities", and "perforations", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

openings

Replaces "holes" with a more general term for apertures or gaps.

gaps

Emphasizes the idea of spaces or intervals between things.

cavities

Focuses on the aspect of "holes" as enclosed spaces or hollows.

perforations

Highlights the aspect of "holes" as punctures or penetrations.

apertures

A more formal term for "holes", referring to openings that allow light or passage.

voids

Stresses the emptiness or absence of something where "holes" exist.

punctures

Specifically refers to small "holes" created by piercing.

breaches

Implies "holes" that represent a break or violation of something.

ruptures

Suggests "holes" created by tearing or bursting.

depressions

Focuses on "holes" as sunken or low-lying areas.

FAQs

How can I use "holes" in a sentence?

You can use "holes" to refer to physical openings, like "The fence had several "holes" in it", or metaphorically, like "There were significant "holes" in his argument".

What are some synonyms for "holes"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "openings", "gaps", "cavities", or "perforations" instead of "holes".

Is it correct to use "holes" in a figurative sense?

Yes, "holes" can be used figuratively to describe flaws, weaknesses, or missing elements in a plan, argument, or system. For example, "There are several "holes" in their security protocol".

What's the difference between "holes" and "gaps"?

"Holes" generally refer to physical openings or deficiencies, while "gaps" can refer to spaces or intervals, either physical or abstract. For example, you might say "There were "holes" in the fabric" or "There were gaps in her knowledge".