holy moley

interjection

Synonym of wow, an expression of surprise.

Similar
wow
First used late 19th c.
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Meanings

interjectionholy moley!

alternative holy moly

  1. datedeuphemistichumorousidiomaticSynonym of wow, an expression of surprise.First known use late 19th c.

    "Whew !" he whistled, softly; "that's curious. Same name as the lady at our place. Suppose he should be her husband. Holy moley, what a game. I've made a discovery.

    1892, Nathaniel Gould, Running it off; or, Hard hit

    Synonyms: wow

Synonyms & antonyms

interjectionSynonym of wow, an expression of surprise.

Similar
wow
Also see
wow

Origin

Originally a euphemism for Holy Mary, Molly being a nickname for Mary. Compare holy Moses.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

holy moley. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/holy%20moley

MLA

“holy moley.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/holy%20moley. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “holy moley,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/holy%20moley.

Source: holy moley on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.