¹hole

noun \ˈhōl\

: an opening into or through something

: a hollow place in the ground

: a place in the ground where an animal lives

Full Definition of HOLE

a : an opening through something : perforation <have a hole in my coat>

b : an area where something is missing : gap: as (1) : a serious discrepancy : flaw, weakness <some holes in your logic> (2) : an opening in a defensive formation; especially : the area of a baseball field between the positions of shortstop and third baseman (3) : a defect in a crystal (as of a semiconductor) that is due to an electron's having left its normal position in one of the crystal bonds and that is equivalent in many respects to a positively charged particle

: a hollowed-out place: as

a : a cave, pit, or well in the ground

b : burrow

c : an unusually deep place in a body of water (as a river)

a : a wretched or dreary place

b : a prison cell especially for solitary confinement

a : a shallow cylindrical hole in the putting green of a golf course into which the ball is played

b : a part of the golf course from tee to putting green <just beginning play on the third hole>; also : the play on such a hole as a unit of scoring <won the hole by two strokes>

a : an awkward position or circumstance : fix <got the rebels out of a hole at the battle — Kenneth Roberts>

b : a position of owing or losing money <$10 million in the hole> <raising money to get out of the hole>

— in the hole

: having a score below zero

: at a disadvantage

See hole defined for English-language learners

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Origin of HOLE

Middle English, from Old English hol (from neuter of hol, adjective, hollow) & holh; akin to Old High German hol, adjective, hollow and perhaps to Old English helan to conceal — more at hell

First Known Use: before 12th century