hole

An empty space in something solid, where some material is missing.

• There’s a hole in the wall.
• We filled the holes with wet sand.
• How did that hole appear in the roof?

How to use it: a hole in something (There is a hole in the wall.)

Similar words: gap, opening

Common phrases: hole in something, fill a hole, make a hole

A hollow space extending into something, especially a pit dug in the ground.

• Dig a hole for the tree.
• The dog buried its bone in a hole.
• We found several deep holes beside the path.

How to use it: a hole in something (They dug a hole in the ground.)

Similar words: pit, cavity

Common phrases: dig a hole, deep hole, hole in something

An opening that passes completely through material, such as cloth, wood, or metal.

• My shirt has a hole in it.
• Rain came through a hole in the tent.
• She patched the holes in his socks.

How to use it: a hole in something (My sock has a hole in it.)

Similar words: opening, perforation

Common phrases: hole in something, hole through something, small hole

To make an opening or openings in a surface or object.

• A bullet holed the boat.
• The ship was holed below the waterline.
• Flying stones had holed several metal panels.

Similar words: pierce, puncture, perforate

Common phrases: hole a ship, hole the hull

To completely damage or defeat something, such as an argument or plan.

• That fact holed his argument.
• The new evidence completely holed their case.
• Her criticism holed the theory before anyone could defend it.

Similar words: destroy, demolish

Common phrases: hole an argument, hole a theory, hole someone’s case