Homily
noun
A religious lecture or speech given by a priest or minister in church, usually as part of a service.
The minister gave a brief homily on the importance of loving our neighbors.
Often appears as...
- give a homily
- deliver a homily
noun
A long talk or piece of writing giving advice or moral instruction, generally not appreciated because it is considered boring or unnecessarily moralising.
I had to sit through a long homily about the importance of honesty.
Often appears as...
- sit through a homily
- listen to a homily
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A religious lecture or speech given by a priest or minister in church, usually as part of a service.
The minister gave a brief homily on the importance of loving our neighbors.
Often appears as...
- give a homily
- deliver a homily
noun
A long talk or piece of writing giving advice or moral instruction, generally not appreciated because it is considered boring or unnecessarily moralising.
I had to sit through a long homily about the importance of honesty.
Often appears as...
- sit through a homily
- listen to a homily
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Context
Primarily used in religious settings, often within churches or places of worship.
On Sunday, the priest's homily reminded us to be kind.
Pro Tip 2/3Part of Service
Usually part of a worship service and linked to a scripture or religious teaching.
The homily spoke about the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Pro Tip 3/3Morality Focus
Intended to provide moral guidance or spiritual insight, rather than purely information.
Her homily focused on the virtue of patience.
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Context
Primarily used in religious settings, often within churches or places of worship.
On Sunday, the priest's homily reminded us to be kind.
Pro Tip 2/3Part of Service
Usually part of a worship service and linked to a scripture or religious teaching.
The homily spoke about the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Pro Tip 3/3Morality Focus
Intended to provide moral guidance or spiritual insight, rather than purely information.
Her homily focused on the virtue of patience.
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Context
Primarily used in religious settings, often within churches or places of worship.
On Sunday, the priest's homily reminded us to be kind.
Pro Tip 2/3Part of Service
Usually part of a worship service and linked to a scripture or religious teaching.
The homily spoke about the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Pro Tip 3/3Morality Focus
Intended to provide moral guidance or spiritual insight, rather than purely information.
Her homily focused on the virtue of patience.
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Video examples
Kids need structure -...
because kids need structure and the trick i play in all of my school appearances is that when i get through with my little homily to the kids I then invite them to ask questions and when they raised their hands it's come up and I make them come up and stand in front of me I make them stand at attention
Video examples
Colin Powell: Kids need...
He does look good, because kids need structure, and the trick I play in all of my school appearances is that when I get through with my little homily to the kids, I then invite them to ask questions, and when they raise their hands, I say, "Come up," and I make them come up and stand in front of me.
Video examples
Kids need structure -...
because kids need structure and the trick i play in all of my school appearances is that when i get through with my little homily to the kids I then invite them to ask questions and when they raised their hands it's come up and I make them come up and stand in front of me I make them stand at attention
Video examples
Colin Powell: Kids need...
He does look good, because kids need structure, and the trick I play in all of my school appearances is that when I get through with my little homily to the kids, I then invite them to ask questions, and when they raise their hands, I say, "Come up," and I make them come up and stand in front of me.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Piyush Goyal
Indian Politician
Western countries have gone through their development cycle and enjoyed the fruits of ruining the environment over many years and are now giving us homilies and pontificating on responsibilities to the environment. I think they need to look inward.
Quote examples
Gary Hamel
American Businessman
During the ten years I lived in the U.K., I frequently attended an Anglican church just outside of London. I enjoyed the energetic singing and the thoughtful homilies. And yet, I found it easy to be a pew warmer, a consumer, a back row critic.
Quote examples
Frank Deford
American Writer
I've been delivering these little homilies since 1980 - that's 37 years - and altogether, NPR statisticians tell me, my bloviation total is 1,656 commentaries - and I trust you've hung onto every word.
Quote examples
Pope Francis
Argentinian Clergyman
A beautiful homily, a genuine sermon, must begin with the first proclamation, with the proclamation of salvation. There is nothing more solid, deep and sure than this proclamation.
Quote examples
Christine Pelosi
American Writer
Growing up, in church we had the homily; at home it's what I call the 'momily' - the inspirational and instructive mom-isms that every family has.
Quote examples
Lydia Millet
American Novelist
If I can't find a way to love it, I let it go. Kind of the opposite of the popular homily.
Quote examples
Piyush Goyal
Indian Politician
Western countries have gone through their development cycle and enjoyed the fruits of ruining the environment over many years and are now giving us homilies and pontificating on responsibilities to the environment. I think they need to look inward.
Quote examples
Gary Hamel
American Businessman
During the ten years I lived in the U.K., I frequently attended an Anglican church just outside of London. I enjoyed the energetic singing and the thoughtful homilies. And yet, I found it easy to be a pew warmer, a consumer, a back row critic.
Quote examples
Frank Deford
American Writer
I've been delivering these little homilies since 1980 - that's 37 years - and altogether, NPR statisticians tell me, my bloviation total is 1,656 commentaries - and I trust you've hung onto every word.
Quote examples
Pope Francis
Argentinian Clergyman
A beautiful homily, a genuine sermon, must begin with the first proclamation, with the proclamation of salvation. There is nothing more solid, deep and sure than this proclamation.
Quote examples
Christine Pelosi
American Writer
Growing up, in church we had the homily; at home it's what I call the 'momily' - the inspirational and instructive mom-isms that every family has.
Quote examples
Lydia Millet
American Novelist
If I can't find a way to love it, I let it go. Kind of the opposite of the popular homily.
Example 1 of 6
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