holidaying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "holidaying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of taking a holiday or vacation, often in a leisurely context. Example: "We spent the summer holidaying in the beautiful countryside, enjoying the fresh air and scenic views."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, although it would be another 100 years before the working masses started holidaying abroad, these packages were a step towards the democratisation of travel – prior to this, only the really wealthy could swan off on grand tours.

The Guardian - Travel

In July and August, Alteirinhos is the beach of choice for holidaying Lisboans, who prefer its slightly more isolated location over the busier beach at Zambujeira.

The Guardian - Travel

You'll find plenty of others holidaying on their own in most spas and retreats.

The Guardian - Travel

Even for Kazakh citizens, holidaying abroad is often cheaper – up to half the price – than taking a break in Kazakhstan.

The Guardian

Last September, Mrs Tebbutt, a British social worker, had been holidaying with her husband, David, a London publishing executive, on the north Kenyan coast.

The Economist

Far from being a warrior president, Mr Bush risks being thought of as asleep on his watch, holidaying in Crawford rather than bullying his cabinet to focus on the mounting terrorist threat.The commission would never have materialised without the lobbying of a group of September 11th widows particularly a quartet known as the Jersey Girls.

The Economist

Britain's former centre-left prime minister, Tony Blair, who got to know the mayor while holidaying in Tuscany, issued a statement in which he declared that: "Matteo has the dynamism, creativity and toughness to succeed".Scout's honourIt is the toughness that has been most clearly on display thus far.

The Economist

Somalis have repeatedly seized foreigners, even holidaying yachtsmen passing their coast, and freed them for cash.

The Economist

This year the hotel will accept four groups of holidaying masochists throughout the summer months.

The Economist

Mr Sarkozy may have shared hot dogs with the Bush family while holidaying in New Hampshire, went the line, but his underlying instincts remained Gaullist.

The Economist

And it then emerged that, when holidaying in Tunisia over the new year, she had flown twice on a private jet belonging to a local tycoon who had links to the regime and to her parents via a property deal.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "holidaying" to describe the activity of spending a holiday. For example, "They are "holidaying" in Italy this summer".

Common error

Avoid using "holidaying" as a noun. It's a verb form. Use "holiday" or "vacation" instead. For example, instead of saying "The holidaying was great", say "The holiday was great".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "holidaying" is as a present participle or gerund of the verb 'holiday'. It often functions as part of a continuous verb tense or as a noun describing the activity of taking a holiday. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "holidaying" is a grammatically correct and widely used term, predominantly in British English, to describe the act of taking a holiday. As Ludwig AI states, its primary function is as a verb, either in continuous tenses or as a gerund. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While "holidaying" and "vacationing" are largely interchangeable, the former is favored in British English. When using "holidaying", ensure it is used as a verb and not confused with noun forms like "holiday".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacationing

Direct synonym, commonly used in American English.

going on holiday

Commonly used, particularly in British English, similar to "holidaying".

taking a vacation

A more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the act of taking time off.

on vacation

Similar meaning, focusing on the state of being on vacation.

spending time on holiday

Focuses on the duration and activity during the holiday.

enjoying a holiday

Emphasizes the pleasurable aspect of the holiday experience.

taking a break

A broader term that could refer to a short or long holiday.

touring

Implies traveling to different places during a holiday.

taking a trip

Generic phrase for going on a journey for leisure.

jetting off

Suggests traveling by plane for a holiday.

FAQs

What does "holidaying" mean?

"Holidaying" refers to the act of taking a holiday or vacation. It describes the activity of spending time away from one's usual routine for leisure or recreation.

Is "holidaying" the same as "vacationing"?

While both terms describe taking a holiday, "holidaying" is more commonly used in British English, while "vacationing" is preferred in American English. They are largely interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to "holidaying"?

Alternatives to "holidaying" include "taking a vacation", "going on holiday", or simply "on vacation". The best choice depends on the specific context and audience.

How can I use "holidaying" in a sentence?

You can use "holidaying" in sentences like: "They are "holidaying" in Spain this year" or "She enjoys "holidaying" in the mountains during the summer".